The Early Symptoms of Liver Cancer

What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer refers to cancers that originate from the cells that make up the liver. There are two main types of liver cancer:

The most common type is hepatoma (90%). It develops from the liver's main cells, known as hepatocytes. About 85% of hepatomas develop in patients with cirrhosis. In medical terminology, it is called hepatocellular carcinoma, abbreviated as HCC.

The second most common type is cholangiocarcinoma (10%). It develops from the cells lining the bile ducts within the liver. Its abbreviation is CCC.

What are the early symptoms of liver cancer?

• Fatigue, early exhaustion
• Loss of appetite, weight loss
• Abdominal pain (especially in the upper right region)
• Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• Darkening of urine
• Lightening of stool color

Where does liver cancer cause pain?

The liver is located in the upper right part of the abdomen. A dull pain may occur due to the stretching of the liver capsule by the cancerous mass. In cases where the tumor grows outside the liver, pain may radiate to the right shoulder due to irritation of the diaphragm.

What should be done if symptoms of liver cancer are experienced?

If symptoms of liver cancer are present, the patient should seek medical attention and be evaluated by a Gastroenterology specialist. Diagnosis includes physical examination, imaging, and blood tests to determine whether liver cancer is present and, if so, to assess its stage.