Liver Cancer Symptoms

Liver Cancer: Introduction

You are said to have liver cancer when there is malignant tumor growth inside or on the outer surface of your liver. Liver cancer is also known as hepatic cancer and it occurs more in men than in women.

Liver cancer can be divided into two types; primary liver cancer originates in your liver, secondary liver cancer spreads from cancers in other part of your body to the liver. One of the most common types of liver cancer, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) starts in your liver.

What are the Liver Cancer Symptoms?

Fever that is unexplained, body weakness and fatigue are the initial liver cancer signs. For some, there may be no signs or symptoms in the early or mid stage.

Symptoms, in some cases appear when the liver cancer is in an advanced stage of development. Moreover, the symptoms may not be specific to liver cancer and can mimic those found in other conditions and diseases.

Typical symptoms and signs of liver cancer:

• Abdominal fullness
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Liver enlargement
• Liver pain
• Marked loss in vigor
• Weakness that is progressive
• Jaundice

Hepatitis B virus infection is the most prevalent liver cancer cause. There are several risk factors that can cause liver cancer including gender, heredity, diseases such as diabetes and cirrhosis, obesity and aflatoxins.

The liver cancer symptoms can be unique to individuals that can vary in size and severity.

Prolonged severe symptoms may be experienced by those with other serious underlying health conditions and already have liver cancer.

Other associated symptoms of liver cancer can include feeling lethargic, nausea and vomiting and unexplained fever.

Liver cancer should be diagnosed in the early stages so as to facilitate effective treatment and a chance of complete recovery.