Early Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Early Symptoms of Liver Cancer
1.Pain in the Liver Area
Most mid to late-stage liver cancer patients experience pain in the liver area. The pain is usually located in the right rib area or just below the xiphoid process. It can be intermittent or constant dull or stabbing pain. Before the onset of pain, patients may feel discomfort in the upper right abdomen. The pain may vary in intensity and duration or resolve on its own over a short period.
More than 55% of patients diagnosed with liver cancer initially experience pain in the liver area. The progression of symptoms tends to be gradual, with the tumor enlarging over time, leading to increased pain. In some cases, patients may experience pulling pain in the liver area during physical activity as the disease rapidly advances.
2.Digestive Symptoms
Decreased appetite, postprandial upper abdominal bloating, belching, indigestion, and nausea are common digestive symptoms of liver cancer. Appetite loss and abdominal bloating are particularly prevalent. Diarrhea is also a common digestive symptom, often mistaken for chronic enteritis. Portal vein or hepatic vein thrombosis causing portal hypertension and intestinal dysfunction can result in abdominal distension and increased bowel movements.
Digestive symptoms are frequent, and attention should be paid to appetite reduction and bloating.
3.Fever
Many liver cancer patients experience sweating and fever. The fever is often low to moderate, occasionally reaching temperatures above 39°C. The fever in liver cancer is often categorized as cancerous fever, resulting from the release of pyrogens into the bloodstream after tumor tissue necrosis.
Fever can be a notable symptom, and cancerous fever is attributed to the release of pyrogens from necrotic tumor tissue.
4.Weight Loss and Fatigue
Liver cancer patients often experience more significant fatigue compared to other cancer patients, similar to individuals with chronic liver disease. The exact cause of fatigue is unclear but may be due to disrupted digestive function, impaired nutrient absorption leading to inadequate energy, or liver cell damage causing metabolic disturbances and delayed detoxification of certain toxins.
Weight loss is a common symptom, primarily resulting from impaired liver function.
5.Bleeding Tendency
Liver cancer patients often exhibit bleeding tendencies such as gum bleeding and subcutaneous ecchymosis. This is mainly due to impaired liver function and abnormal coagulation function. It is more common in patients with liver cancer combined with cirrhosis.
Gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively common, primarily due to esophagogastric varices caused by portal hypertension.
6.Lower Limb Edema
Patients with liver cancer and ascites often experience lower limb edema, ranging from ankle swelling in milder cases to widespread edema in severe cases. In some instances, patients may have highly swollen lower limbs with fluid seeping from thigh skin.
Lower limb edema results from compression of the lower limb veins or blockage by cancer thrombus, causing venous return obstruction.
7.Chest Tightness and Cough
Liver cancer located close to the diaphragm and pleura may early invade the pleura, causing recurrent and persistent cough or chest tightness, which should not be ignored.
Early symptoms related to diaphragm proximity.
8.Jaundice
Yellowing of the eyes and skin and darkening of urine occur due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Liver cancer can cause jaundice through various mechanisms, such as external compression or direct invasion of the main bile duct. Bilirubin elevation leads to obstructed bile flow and subsequent jaundice. Endoscopic stent placement can temporarily resolve jaundice and normalize bilirubin levels.
Jaundice is a common symptom and can result from both mechanical obstruction and tumor replacement of the liver.
9.Shortness of Breath
Liver cancer restricting diaphragm movement can cause shortness of breath. Large right lobe liver cancer can stimulate the diaphragm by causing localized inflammation/stimulation, leading to shortness of breath.
Shortness of breath occurs due to diaphragmatic restriction.
