Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Medically reviewed by Marla Anderson, MD
Liver cancer occurs when cancer cells begin to grow abnormally and form tumors in the liver. Your liver is the largest internal organ in your body and is responsible for breaking down and storing nutrients, preventing blood clots, and delivering bile to the intestines.
Liver cancer accounts for only 2.1% of new cancers in the United States. It's more common globally, accounting for 700,000 deaths annually worldwide. That’s why knowing the warning signs is so important.
Most people don’t experience symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer, but as the condition progresses, symptoms may include an abdominal lump, loss of appetite, and pain. Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the spread of liver cancer to other organs.
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Common Symptoms
Liver cancer may not show any signs in the early stages. As your cancer progresses, common symptoms may include:
Abdominal lump: A lump or mass on the right side of your abdomen under your rib cage or on the left side of your body if your spleen enlarges.
Pain: Discomfort or aching in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade. The pain comes from the invasion of the liver tumor into nearby structures. Referred pain is pain that radiates to other parts of the body. It can occur near the right shoulder blade when the tumor puts pressure on the nerves that connect to your shoulder.
Loss of appetite: You might have less interest in eating or feel full after a small meal.
Unintentional weight loss: Rapid weight loss can occur even if you haven’t changed your diet or exercise.
Abdominal swelling: Swelling in the abdomen can occur due to the build-up of excess fluids in the abdomen, also called ascites. Ascites may develop due to increased pressure in the liver or when the cancer spreads to the lining of the abdomen.
Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms may occur due to improper liver functioning, which may lead to impaired digestion.
Jaundice: When cancer involves the liver or bile ducts, bilirubin levels increase in the blood and cause jaundice—or, the yellowing of the skin and white parts of the eye.
Fever: You might have a low-grade but persistent fever.
Liver Tumor Symptoms
In some cases, liver tumors release hormones that may harm organs other than the liver and lead to additional symptoms.
Common symptoms of a liver tumor include:
High blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
High red blood cell count (leukocytosis)
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Breast enlargement
Decrease in the size of testicles
Symptoms in Children
Liver cancer is rare in children. If however your child develops liver cancer, hepatoblastoma (cancer that forms in liver tissue) is the most common type of liver cancer in children. Other types of liver cancer include hepatocellular carcinoma (a tumor grows on the liver), infantile choriocarcinoma (cancer grows in the placenta), and undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma (cancer forms in the liver tissue).
Symptoms of liver cancer in children include:
A lump in the abdomen
Unexplained weight loss
Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of liver cancer can often mimic symptoms of other conditions. If your child is experiencing the above symptoms, contact their healthcare provider for support.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you or a loved one are experiencing any symptoms of liver cancer. If your provider suspects this condition, they can refer you to an oncologist (a doctor specializing in cancer). Your healthcare provider may ask you about your medical history and symptoms.
They will then carry out a physical examination to look for signs of an enlarged liver or pain. They may also recommend a few tests such as imaging scans, liver biopsy, liver function test, or other blood tests to confirm a liver cancer diagnosis.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
Getting tested for liver cancer can be a scary experience, but coming to your appointment prepared with questions can help ease some anxiety. Consider asking the following questions to your provider to learn more about your condition:
Could my abdominal pain be due to any other conditions?
If you suspect I have liver cancer, what tests will I need to undergo to receive a diagnosis?
How fast will my test results come back?
If I have liver cancer, what treatment options are available for me?
Are there any home remedies or lifestyle changes you recommend to help relieve my symptoms?
A Quick Review
Liver cancer occurs when cancer cells begin to grow in the liver. While liver cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages, you may experience an abdominal lump, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain in the later stages of the disease.
If you develop symptoms of this condition, seeing your healthcare provider is essential as they can get you tested for liver cancer and get you started on treatment sooner if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of liver cancer?
The life expectancy of liver cancer is not an exact science. However, the estimated 5-year relative survival rate for liver cancer that has not spread beyond the liver is 37%, for cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes or structures, the survival rate is 14%. It is 4% for cancer that spreads to other organs such as the lungs.
Does liver cancer spread quickly?
Liver cancer often spreads quickly because symptoms are so difficult to identify early on. The liver is also located behind the rib cage, which can make very small tumors more difficult to find on physical scans in the early stages.
Which treatments work for liver cancer symptoms?
The treatment of liver cancer depends on the stage of cancer, size of the tumor, state of your liver, your age, and if you have other health problems. Treatment options for liver cancer include surgery, tumor ablation, embolization, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy. Your healthcare provider will work with you to decide which option may work best for you.
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