Previous Section
Diagnosis of Liver Cancer
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Unfortunately, the early diagnosis of liver cancer is difficult because most people with early-stage liver cancer are asymptomatic (do not exhibit clinical symptoms of the disease). Consequently, by the time signs and symptoms develop, the disease has already progressed to a more advanced stage. That's why liver cancer is sometimes referred to as a "silent" disease. The following signs and symptoms may be present in patients with liver cancer, however, these symptoms are not specific for liver cancer and may overlap with other conditions:
- Abdominal pain
- Generalized fatigue and weakness
- Hepatomegaly - enlargement of the liver, which is the most common finding on physical examination in patients with liver cancer.
- Unintentional weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Early satiety - a feeling of fullness in the stomach after consuming a small meal
- Jaundice - a yellowish-green complexion of the skin and eyes caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the liver.
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Splenomegaly - enlargement of the spleen
