Often silent in its early stages, liver cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. However, certain symptoms can be warning signs that should not be ignored. Prompt medical attention is therefore essential.

 

Unexplained weight loss

 

Liver cancer, which can be linked to hepatitis B or C or cirrhosis, affects approximately 8,000 people each year in France and the rest of the world. One of the first warning signs is significant and involuntary weight loss.

 

Excessive fatigue and loss of appetite

 

When cancer cells develop in the liver, an organ essential for detoxification and digestion, unusual fatigue and poor appetite may occur.

 

Nausea and vomiting

 

Persistent problems in the upper right abdomen should be taken seriously. They warrant medical imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRIs, to make a precise diagnosis. A simple blood test can also help with screening.

 

The presence of a mass under the ribs

 

Initially, liver cancer usually causes no symptoms. As the tumor progresses, clinical manifestations appear, but they may go unnoticed. In addition to the previously mentioned signs, a palpable mass under the ribs may be detected during a medical examination.

 

Yellowing of the eyes and skin

 

At an advanced stage of liver cancer, a yellow discoloration of the eyes and sometimes the skin may appear. This phenomenon, called jaundice, is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells, which the diseased liver can no longer properly eliminate.