The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks liver cancer as the 6th most dangerous cancer in the world. It is the 3rd major cause of death from cancer. In simple terms, liver cancer contributes to about 1 out of 12 cancer deaths globally.
Liver cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of your liver. The most frequent form is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which normally occurs among individuals who have underlying hepatitis or fatty liver diseases. Some other forms are intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma, which are very infrequent.
It can be dangerous because your liver plays a vital role in your digestion, detoxification as well as your metabolism. Liver cancer symptoms are not that evident in the initial stages, which makes it more dangerous.
Common Liver Cancer Symptoms
Liver cancer has varying symptoms in individuals. As it progresses in the initial phases, there might not be any symptoms at all. But a swelling tumour, or a liver that has failed, will sooner or later start to give some signals:
1. Unexplained Weight Loss
When you start to lose weight without making any effort, it can be a red flag. Your metabolism changes because of the large amount of energy consumed by cancer cells. A lot of individuals with liver problems have an abnormally full stomach after only having a few bites.
It is good to pay attention if your clothes are fitting much looser and you have zero desire to eat. Try to periodically monitor your weight over several weeks. If you are seeing unintentional weight loss of approximately 5% or more, consider seeing a doctor
2. Upper Abdominal Pain or Swelling (Ascites)
Discomfort or pain on the right side of the abdomen, right below the ribs, is one of the common symptoms. Some of you could even feel the pain spreading towards the back or the right shoulder.
Fluid buildup may also occur in the abdomen, which can cause visible swelling or bloating. This occurs when the damaged liver is unable to make sufficient protein, which leads to fluid leaking from your blood vessels into your abdomen.
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Some clinical evidence proves that more than half of the patients already had ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen) when their liver cancer was diagnosed.
3. Jaundice
This is among the most typical symptoms of liver cancer. It is basically the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Jaundice occurs when the liver is unable to properly metabolize bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of old red blood cells.
Typically, only 20% to 30% of patients with liver cancer may see jaundice as a first symptom. But when it appears, it is usually an indicator of liver dysfunction or an obstruction of the liver ducts by a tumor.
People generally wait till the skin color changes to yellow, but yellowing normally starts in the white of your eyes first, not the skin. Dark yellow or tea colored urine is also another first sign, and this occurs due to the extra bilirubin being eliminated through your kidneys.
Some other possible indicators include pale or clay stool because of the bile blockage, and itchy skin due to bile salt accumulation. In darker-skinned people, yellowing may be harder to see, sometimes showing in the eyes, palms, or under the tongue.
If your jaundice is accompanied by weight loss, tiredness, or swelling in the belly, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
4. Extreme Fatigue
Another symptom is extreme fatigue. Liver cancers often cause fatigue for multiple reasons. The liver takes part in multiple processes, such as energy metabolism and the elimination of harmful substances. If these functions are disrupted, the toxic load of your body rises, resulting in constant exhaustion.
Besides, since the body is fighting and using a lot of energy to fight cancer, this can cause muscle loss, weakness, and low stamina, even if you are barely involved in physical activities.
Additionally, many patients may develop anemia (which is a deficiency of red blood cells), thus less oxygen is being supplied to the body, which also causes tiredness.
Poor appetite and weight loss can make this even worse, as the body is not getting enough nutrients to maintain energy levels.
5. Hard Lump Below the Ribs
This is a rare symptom that should be considered when diagnosing liver cancer. The hard lump will be located under the right rib cage, where the liver is located.
It occurs in cases when the liver has been swollen or when the tumor has grown large enough to be palpated.
Research has shown that palpable liver, a term used to describe the condition where you can feel it by touch, is seen in 30%-50% of patients who have advanced-stage liver cancer.
However, it is important to note that in the early stages, most individuals cannot feel the lump due to its small size. The person may feel a sensation of weight or pressure under their right rib cage or discomfort when bending down or sitting tight.
During a checkup, doctors sometimes ask you to inhale deeply, which pushes the liver lower and makes it easier to spot.
Who is at the Risks and Should Get Tested
Liver cancer starts in those who already have some chronic damage to their liver. Some people show no signs at first. Jaundice, tiredness, or a hard lump may come up later.
The following individuals should take into account liver cancer screenings:
- Hepatitis B or C patients
- Those with diagnoses of cirrhosis
- People with fatty liver, diabetes, or obesity
- People with heavy alcohol addiction
- Family history of liver cancer
In such cases, it is advised that screenings must be done twice a year. This can be done either through ultrasounds or with blood tests such as the AFP test.
Tests and Diagnosis
If liver cancer is suspected, your healthcare provider may recommend several tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include:
- Blood Tests: These include liver function tests and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a marker that may be elevated in liver cancer.
- Imaging Tests: Ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs are done to detect where tumors live, how big they are, and what part of the organ they’ve invaded.
- Biopsy: During a biopsy, a thin needle is inserted through your skin and directly into the liver to remove a small tissue sample. This sample is then looked at under a microscope to definitively confirm if cancer cells are present.
Conclusion
Liver cancer is dangerous because you may have it without experiencing any symptoms at all.
In later stages, however, treatment tends to involve management and prolonging your life with targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy. There are steps that you can take to actively maintain your overall liver wellness. Such as staying away from alcohol, taking care of your viral hepatitis, and preventing fatty liver syndrome via diet.
You should immediately go to an emergency room or seek urgent care if you suddenly develop severe abdominal pain, a high fever, rapid swelling in your belly, or if you vomit blood or pass dark, tarry stools. These are signs of a critical medical emergency, such as a ruptured tumor or internal bleeding.
At Kairos Integrative Care in Texas, Lola, one of our integrative nurse practitioners, is here to help you stay ahead of this silent disease.
We accept most major insurance plans to ensure you can easily get the routine blood panels and physical exams needed to protect your liver.
Reach out to us today!
