What happens in your body when you have liver cancer?
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Common symptoms of liver cancer include:
- An enlarged liver, felt as fullness under the ribs on the right side
- An enlarged spleen, felt as fullness under the ribs on the left side
- Pain near the right shoulder blade or in the back
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite or feelings of fullness after eating a small meal
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pale, chalky bowel movements and dark urine
- Fever
Liver Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Risk factors that may increase your chance of developing liver cancer include:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
- Cirrhosis: A disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue.
- Heavy alcohol use
- Aflatoxin B1: Poison from a fungus that can grow on foods that have been stored in hot, humid places (Most common in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and China).
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): A disease where there is an abnormal amount of fat in the liver
- Smoking
- Other medical conditions, including:
- Untreated hereditary hemochromatosis
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Glycogen storage disease
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
- Wilson disease
Accessing the Best Liver Cancer Care
Expert Tips
- Get information about choosing an liver cancer specialist or treatment center
- Talk with loved ones about how they can help you
- Find out what your insurance covers
- Find out if you have any specific mutations and how that relates to treatment
- Talk openly with your doctor about your fears or concerns
- Determine if financial assistance is available
Liver Cancer Access & Early Detection Programs
Tools to help you feel activated and connect with resources to overcome barriers to accessing care.
Topics:
- Liver Cancer Basics and Testing
- Barriers to Liver Cancer Care
Provides digital literacy skills training with a series of easy-to-follow video modules, coupled with resource guides to educate you on technology and online support tools.
Having cancer or caring for someone with cancer can feel really lonely and extremely isolating. We created PEN-Powered Activity Guides to help you cope, relax, and, hopefully, feel a little less overwhelmed.
