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Home » News and Blogs » What are the symptoms of liver cancer?
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What are the symptoms of liver cancer?

November 10, 2022

Often there are no early symptoms of liver cancer, because the liver is a very resilient organ that can continue to work well even when large parts of it are damaged. If you do notice symptoms, they may be similar to those seen in other liver conditions.

However, the earlier liver cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment, so if you’re at all worried or think something isn’t right, talk to your doctor.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical help immediately:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
  • Swelling of the tummy (abdomen).This can be due to a build-up of fluid (ascites) or the cancer itself.
  • Vomiting blood
  • Tarry, black, sticky poo

Other symptoms include:

  • A general feeling of poor health
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
  • Loss of weight
  • Discomfort over the liver area (upper right section of the tummy)
  • Itchy skin
  • Pale or grey poo
  • Dark urine
  • Loss of sex drive (libido).

Worried about symptoms?

If you think you may have symptoms of primary liver cancer, your GP should review your medical history and perform a detailed clinical examination. They will usually then recommend a series of appropriate tests, At this stage, questions you might ask your doctor include:

  • Can I have a blood test to assess my liver’s health?
  • How and when will I get the results of the test? Who can I contact if I don’t get them?
  • If the blood test is abnormal, are there more tests I can have to investigate further – for example, an abdominal ultrasound scan?
  • I have liver disease – when is my next ultrasound due?
  • What can I do myself if I’m worried about my liver health? Are there changes I can make to my lifestyle to help?
More news items
« Liver Cancer UK launched to improve the lives and outcomes of those affected by liver cancer
NHS gives GP teams direct access to tests to speed up cancer diagnosis »

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