Liver Cancer Symptoms & Types

Many people do not notice symptoms of liver cancer in the early stages, especially if they already have chronic liver disease. In fact, many liver cancers are found during routine screening, before symptoms begin. This is why regular monitoring is important for people at higher risk. 

As liver cancer grows or liver function gets worse, symptoms become more noticeable. The type of liver cancer also affects how symptoms appear and how quickly they get worse.

If you’re at risk or have symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, our specialized team of experts is dedicated to liver cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Why liver cancer symptoms can be hard to spot early

Your liver can keep working even when part of it is damaged. In early liver cancer, the remaining healthy liver tissue may take over for the part that’s not working well, so you may not notice any symptoms.

Many early symptoms of liver cancer, like fatigue, appetite changes or abdominal discomfort, overlap with symptoms of chronic liver disease. So it can be hard to tell if cancer has developed without imaging or blood tests.

Early symptoms of liver cancer

Early liver cancer may not cause symptoms. People with liver disease are often diagnosed during routine screening rather than because of symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they are often vague and easy to overlook.

Possible early symptoms include:

• Fatigue or weakness that doesn’t ease up
• Lack of appetite
• Feeling full quickly
• Mild pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen
• Back pain or pain near the right shoulder blade
• Abdominal swelling or fluid buildup
• Low-grade fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats
• Itching
• Generally not feeling well

Advanced symptoms of liver cancer

As liver cancer gets worse or spreads and liver function declines, symptoms become more noticeable. Advanced symptoms may include:

• Persistent abdominal pain or swelling
• Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
• A mass or lump under the right rib cage
• Enlarged veins on the abdomen
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Dark urine
• Pale stools
• Severe itching
• Nausea or vomiting
• Significant weight loss
• Increasing weakness
• Confusion
• Problems with concentration or memory
• Easy bruising

These symptoms could be signs of advanced cancer, cirrhosis that’s getting worse or both. It’s important to get evaluated quickly.

When symptoms change suddenly

Sudden changes in symptoms, like rapid abdominal swelling, bleeding or confusion, may be signs of liver failure or cancer-related complications. They need medical attention right away.

Types of primary liver cancer

Primary liver cancer includes several types that have different causes and develop differently. Identifying the exact type is important for planning treatment and care.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer. Most adults with liver cancer have this type.

HCC:

• Begins in hepatocytes, which are the main liver cells
• Is strongly linked to cirrhosis and chronic liver disease
• May develop as a single tumor or multiple tumors

HCC often grows within a liver that is already damaged. That makes treatment options limited, since liver function is a key factor in care decisions.

Many times, HCC can be found before symptoms start, through regular screening in people who have cirrhosis.

Fibrolamellar carcinoma

Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare subtype of liver cancer that’s different from HCC.

Fibrolamellar carcinoma:

• Often affects adolescents and young adults
• Usually happens without cirrhosis or chronic liver disease
• Tends to occur as a large, single tumor

Because fibrolamellar carcinoma affects younger people without liver disease, symptoms may appear earlier and be more noticeable. It may cause abdominal pain, a mass or lump you can feel, weight loss or abnormal liver tests.

Rare types of liver cancer

These types of liver cancer are not common:

• Hepatoblastoma (childhood liver cancer): Hepatoblastoma mostly affects babies and young children. Symptoms can include a swollen abdomen, a noticeable belly mass, poor appetite, weight loss or jaundice.
• Angiosarcoma: This aggressive form of liver cancer begins in the liver’s blood vessels. It is often diagnosed when it is advanced.

How symptoms relate to liver function

In liver cancer, symptoms are often caused by a combination of:

• Tumor growth
• Reduced liver function
• Portal hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the digestive system related to cirrhosis

This means symptoms don’t always match the tumor size. A small tumor in a severely damaged liver may cause more symptoms than a larger tumor in a healthier liver.

How liver cancer symptoms differ from bile duct cancer

Although liver cancer and bile duct cancer affect areas of the body that are close to each other, symptoms can be different:

• Liver cancer symptoms are often linked to liver failure, cirrhosis and portal hypertension
• Bile duct cancer symptoms are usually caused by blocked bile flow, leading to jaundice and itching

It’s important to get the right testing and diagnosis because treatment options can be different.

Learn more about bile duct cancer.

Why symptom awareness matters 

If you have cirrhosis or other chronic liver conditions, you may not notice early cancer symptoms. Regular imaging and blood tests are important because they can detect liver cancer before symptoms appear.

Early detection increases the chance that treatment options such as surgery, liver-directed therapies or transplant may be possible.

Learn about liver cancer tests, diagnosis and staging.

Liver cancer care at Banner MD Anderson

At Banner MD Anderson, we offer specialized evaluation for liver cancer with advanced imaging, testing and care. Our expertise helps you get accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning. 

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