Is liver cancer painful in early stages?

When liver cancer is in its early stages, you might have no symptoms at all. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) have similar symptoms: A lump below your rib cage or pain on the right side of your abdomen, or pain near your right shoulder.

Where would you have pain if you had liver cancer?

Liver cancer pain is commonly focused on the top right of the abdominal area, near the right shoulder blade. The pain can sometimes extend into the back. It can also be felt in the lower right portion of the rib cage. The pain might be accompanied by swelling in the abdomen and in the legs and ankles.

Does liver cancer show up in blood tests?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC or liver cancer) cannot be diagnosed by routine blood tests. There is only one specific blood test which can be used towards a diagnosis of HCC. This test specifically measures for the levels of the protein alfa-fetoprotein in serum (AFP).

Does liver cancer come on quickly?

Liver cancer can spread quickly depending on the type of cancer. Hemangiosarcoma and angiosarcoma types of liver cancer are fast spreading, whereas hepatocellular carcinoma spreads late in the disease.

Does liver cancer make your stomach swell?

Liver cancer can cause swelling of the tummy (abdomen). This might be because: the liver gets bigger from the growing cancer, and causes swelling on the right side of your abdomen. the cancer (or cirrhosis) increases pressure in the liver causing blood to back up in the vessels (veins).

What were your first liver cancer symptoms?

Symptoms

  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Upper abdominal pain.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • General weakness and fatigue.
  • Abdominal swelling.
  • Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
  • White, chalky stools.

Does liver cancer show up in blood work?

Can a blood test detect cancer in the liver?

What age group is most affected by liver cancer?

In the United States, adult primary liver cancer occurs most often in people older than 60. Gender. Men are more likely than women to develop liver cancer.