Liver Cancer Symptoms - Understanding Common & Advanced Symptoms

Liver cancer is a medical condition where cells start growing at uncontrolled pace The most common form of this cancer in adults is hepatocellular carcinoma - initiated in hepatocytes, the primary liver cells. Other less typical types include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma. It's crucial to distinguish between primary liver cancer (originating from the liver) and metastatic cancer (spreading to the liver from elsewhere in the body) because their treatment approaches, prognosis, and management strategies differ.

Common liver cancer symptoms

Liver cancer symptoms often manifest as abdominal pain, inexplicable weight loss, abdominal lump, fatigue, jaundice and skin itching. Here are some of the symptoms that may suggest possible liver cancer:

Jaundice (whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow)

One of the notable signs of liver cancer is jaundice, often characterised by:

• A yellowish tinge to your skin and the whites of your eyes
• Itchy skin
• Darker coloured urine
• Paler stools

Jaundice, caused by excess bilirubin due to liver cancer, doesn't confirm the disease alone. Other Liver cancer symptoms like unexplained weight loss or persistent fatigue alongside jaundice warrant prompt medical consultation.

Abdominal swelling

Abdominal swelling, also known as ascites, is one of the prominent liver cancer symptoms. Ascites presents itself when:

• Fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, leading to an increase in abdominal size and discomfort.
• The liver fails to function properly due to advanced liver disease, including liver cancer.

This symptom is more than just physically uncomfortable; it can severely impact the quality of life as it may be associated with other liver cancer symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue and pain.

Unexplained weight loss

One of the typical liver cancer symptoms is unexplained weight loss. If you have liver cancer, several factors might contribute to this weight loss:

• A decrease in appetite
• Discomfort and pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty in swallowing
• A bloated abdomen due to accumulation of fluid.

Moreover, liver cancer may lead to cachexia, a condition where the body doesn't absorb nutrients correctly and burns calories faster than usual, even when your eating habits remain unchanged. This condition could result in a loss of muscle mass and fat.

Tired and weakness

Liver cancer symptoms can vary, but one of the most common signs includes a persistent sense of tiredness and overall weakness. It is a constant feeling of exhaustion that doesn't seem to improve, irrespective of how much you sleep or rest. Here are some key points:

• This profound tiredness can be directly linked to liver cancer or could be a side effect from the treatments.
• Beyond tiredness and weakness, liver cancer may also lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a state of confusion caused by an accumulation of harmful substances in the bloodstream that affects brain functioning.

Loss of appetite

Liver cancer can present itself through a significant loss of appetite. People suffering from liver cancer may experience:

• A reduced desire to eat, which can lead to weight loss.
• Tiredness and lack of energy.
• Overall feelings of unwellness or flu-like symptoms.

If you notice a persistent loss of appetite coupled with these signs, it is advisable to seek medical advice without delay.

Other or advanced liver cancer symptoms

As liver cancer advances, additional liver cancer symptoms become apparent, indicating the severity of the condition and warranting immediate medical assessment. The advanced symptoms include:

Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)

In more progressed stages of liver cancer, you might experience an enlarged liver, also known as hepatomegaly. This is often due to the liver's size exceeding normal due to an underlying health issue such as liver disease, heart failure, or cancer.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are typical liver cancer symptoms when liver cancer stage progresses. Here's why they occur:

• Liver issues: When cancer affects the liver, it disrupts its normal functioning, often leading to nausea and vomiting.
• High calcium levels in blood: When cancer spreads into the bones, it can cause an excess of calcium in the blood, known as hypercalcaemia. This condition can trigger symptoms like nausea, fatigue, weakness, and constipation.
• Blocked bowel: Sometimes, tumours in the abdomen can obstruct bowel movement, resulting in bloating, pain and vomiting.
• Cancer treatment side effects: Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy used in cancer treatment.

Pruritus (itching of the skin)

Pruritus, or itching, can result from liver cancer due to bile accumulation in the bloodstream and inflammation of surrounding tissues. When coupled with other liver cancer symptoms like jaundice or unexplained weight loss, it necessitates medical evaluation for potential liver cancer diagnosis.

Dark urine and pale stools

Liver cancer symptoms of advanced stages often include changes in urine colour. You might observe:

• Dark urine: In liver cancer, impaired bilirubin processing leads to its accumulation in the body, causing darker urine.
• Pale stools: Another symptom could be pale or clay-coloured stools. A compromised liver may fail to release sufficient bile, resulting in unusually light-coloured stools.

Swollen tummy

In the advanced stages of liver cancer one of the noticeable liver cancer symptoms is a swollen tummy. This condition is characterised by fluid accumulation in the abdomen resulting in bloating and discomfort.

Pain in the abdomen (belly)

Abdominal pain is among common liver cancer symptoms in advanced stages of cancer. This discomfort, often felt near the right shoulder blade, results from liver cancer stretching the surrounding tissue or capsule. The pain can vary greatly from person to person and may necessitate different pain management strategies.

Lifestyle changes to prevent liver cancer

Preventing liver cancer involves adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Here are some of the measures you take to enhance your overall health outcome:

Limit alcohol consumption

Limiting alcohol consumption is a key lifestyle change to prevent liver cancer. High levels of alcohol can increase the risk of liver cancer, as it causes inflammation and cirrhosis in the liver. Therefore, it is recommended to moderate your drinking habits for better health.

Quit smoking

One of the simplest, yet most effective ways to prevent liver cancer is to quit smoking. Cigarette smoke contains several toxins that could increase your chances of developing liver cancer. Therefore, preventing this habit is integral in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing potential health risks associated with chronic illnesses like liver cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight

To curb liver cancer symptoms, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight. This can be achieved by:

• Adopting a well-balanced diet packed with nutrients.
• Being physically active with regular cardio and strengthening exercises.
• Avoiding unnecessary weight gain.

These lifestyle changes can help lessen fat in the liver, curtailing the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) or non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In turn, reducing your risk of developing liver cancer.

Use sun protection

Screening for viruses that cause liver damage(Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C).

When to seek medical care?

Understanding liver cancer symptoms and seeking medical intervention early is key to successful treatment. Liver cancer symptoms can be subtle but may include unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain or swelling. If you notice yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), itchy skin or fatigue, consult your doctor right away. Patients who already suffer from liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B should undergo regular.

Conclusion

Understanding liver cancer symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment. Although, these signs such as fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain, aren't definitive proofs of liver cancer but are cautionary indicators. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical advice promptly for an accurate diagnosis. That way, you can potentially catch the disease in its early stages, making treatment more effective and increasing your chances of recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there different types of liver cancer?

Yes, there are mainly two types: hepatocellular carcinoma which starts in the liver cells, and cholangiocarcinoma, starting in the bile ducts. Both have different liver cancer symptoms.

2. Are there any risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing liver cancer?

Certainly, some liver cancer causes & risk factors include chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B, C), cirrhosis, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and diabetes.

3. What screening methods are available for liver cancer?

Common screening methods include blood tests for alpha-fetoprotein levels, ultrasound of the liver, and imaging tests like CT scan or MRI.

4. What treatment options are available for liver cancer?

Liver cancer treatment options can vary from surgery to remove the tumour, liver transplant, targeted therapy drugs to palliative care. Screening to detect liver cancer at an early stage.

5. How Is the stage of liver cancer determined?

The stage of liver cancer is determined based on factors such as size and number of tumours in the liver, whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs (metastasis) and stage of underlying liver cirrhosis.

6. What complications can arise in advanced stages of liver cancer?

Advanced liver cancer can lead to jaundice, ascites, and severe pain. It gives rise to cachexie & wasting and may cause liver failure leading to coma.

7. What are the differences between primary and metastatic liver cancer?

Primary liver cancer originates in the liver, often due to conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis. Metastatic liver cancer starts elsewhere and spreads to the liver, with symptoms appearing later.

8. How prevalent is liver cancer worldwide?

Liver cancer has a global presence, ranking as the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

9. Where does liver cancer spread?

Liver cancer usually spreads to nearby tissues first, then it can metastasise to distant organs including lungs, bones or even the brain.

10. Is liver cancer hereditary?

While most cases of liver cancer aren't hereditary, some genetic syndromes passed through families can increase the risk.