Liver Cancer Symptoms

The most common symptom of liver cancer is pain in the abdomen. Because this type of pain can be attributed to gas or bowel problems, many people pass off this pain until it can no longer be dismissed. Often by this time, the cancer is advanced. The pain usually is caused by a large tumor or the spread of cancer throughout the liver.

Another symptom is unexplained weight loss when the patient is not trying to lose weight. Sometimes people, usually women, are thrilled with a little weight loss are thrilled with the weight loss until other problems start to arise. Another symptom is unexplained fevers. These fevers usually signify cirrhoses of the liver which is a huge complication in patients with liver cancer. These symptoms are more likely in undeveloped countries where liver cancer is diagnosed much later than in countries with better medical services.

When a patient with cirrhoses of the liver presents with fever and weight loss, their physician should definitely check for liver cancer because these are the most prominent warning signs.

When a patient comes to the doctor with no evidence of an impaired liver, the doctor will be alarmed if there is a sudden onset of symptoms. If the patients suddenly presents with abdominal swelling or fluid, there is reason to be alarmed. Another danger signal is if the patient is suddenly jaundiced or yellow in color. Being jaundiced is definitely a sign of liver problems. Muscle wasting might be another warning sign. If the patient has no predisposition towards liver problems like excessive drinking of alcohol, the doctor will suspect liver cancer.

At this point the doctor will do a physical exam. The liver will inevitably be tender or swollen. Because liver tumors contain large amounts of blood, the physician will hear a specific sound when he listens to the abdomen.

In advanced liver cancer, the tumor will more than likely spread to tissues surrounding the liver. The cells migrate through the blood vessels. Liver cancer normally spreads to the lungs by the blood stream. It can also spread to the brain.

Liver cancer is a very dangerous and hard to diagnosis cancer. If you have any strange symptoms that might be indicative of liver cancer, see a doctor at once. Never disregard symptoms.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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