National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
Send to Printer
What You Need To Know About™ Liver Cancer
    Posted: 04/29/2009
Symptoms

Early liver cancer often doesn't cause symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, people may notice one or more of these common symptoms:

  • Pain in the upper abdomen on the right side

  • A lump or a feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen

  • Swollen abdomen (bloating)

  • Loss of appetite and feelings of fullness

  • Weight loss

  • Weakness or feeling very tired

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Yellow skin and eyes, pale stools, and dark urine from jaundice

  • Fever

These symptoms may be caused by liver cancer or other health problems. If you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.



Glossary Terms

jaundice (JAWN-dis)
A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow, urine darkens, and the color of stool becomes lighter than normal. Jaundice occurs when the liver is not working properly or when a bile duct is blocked.