Abdominal pain
They are very varied and generally, initially, very subtle: abdominal pain occurs in 95% of cases and represents the first symptom ever. It is a dull pain, of a deep type, poorly localized, sometimes located in the epigastrium (behind the breastbone), in the right abdomen or even posteriorly, in the dorsal region.
Digestive disturbances in the form of nausea, lack of appetite, stomach heaviness after meals and abdominal tension are usually of little significance.
Rapid weight loss
More important for the diagnosis is rapid weight loss, which can reach up to 30-40 kg, all the more suspicious if it occurs in the presence of cirrhosis and is associated with chronic fatigue, anorexia (lack of appetite), nausea and vomiting.
Other Symptoms
There may be fever, usually not high, associated with bone pain (when metastases are present here).
The yellowish color of the skin, called jaundice, although frequent, is not constant in all cases and in any case it is never very intense, except in the case in which a compression of the large biliary tract is established by lymph nodes swollen for the abundant presence of tumor cells The stagnation of bile in the biliary tract, in fact, causes a regurgitation of the same in the blood, which from here goes to the skin giving it the typical yellow color.
Hepatomegaly
The enlargement of the liver is the most constant sign of the tumor: very important for the diagnosis is the irregularity of the lower edge of the organ, which can be felt by plunging the hand with the flat fingers placed on the right side of the abdomen. and going upwards, under the ribs. Generally an enlarged liver is perceived much lower than the last right rib. Its texture is hard, generally not very sore.
In the event that the tumor originates on an already cirrhotic liver, there is usually a sudden aggravation of the symptoms of cirrhosis, and a rapid increase in the size of this organ.
Other Signs
There may also be an increase in the volume of the spleen, although not frequent, and ascites, that is the presence of fluid (due to the inflammation created by the tumor) that is deposited inside the abdomen collecting itself between the two sheets of the peritoneum. It gives the abdomen a globular, round and swollen appearance.
This liquid is present in about 50% of cases and sometimes also contains blood. In some individuals affected by liver cancer, superficial abdominal veins, just under the skin, may be observed, resulting from the obstruction of the blood circulation in the organ.
For further information: Liver Cancer Symptoms
Other articles on "Liver Cancer Symptoms"
- Tumors of the liver
- Types of liver tumors
- Liver cancer diagnosis
- Liver cancer: survival and treatment
- Secondary liver tumors
- Liver Cancer - Medicines for Liver Cancer Treatment
