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What are the symptoms of liver cancer?

Liver cancer symptoms often appear only after the cancer has advanced, and may include discomfort in the upper right abdomen, a hard lump, swollen abdomen, back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, or nausea.

Symptoms of liver cancer may only appear once the cancer has grown or spread. The most common symptoms of liver cancer include:

  • a feeling of discomfort on the upper right side of the abdomen
  • a hard lump on the right side of the abdomen, below the rib cage
  • a swollen abdomen caused by a build-up of fluid (ascites)
  • pain in the upper back, around the right shoulder blade
  • unexplained weight loss
  • yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes – this is called jaundice
  • unusual tiredness
  • loss of appetite or nausea.

There are other conditions that may cause these symptoms, not just liver cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you discuss them with a doctor.

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