Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated: August 1, 2016, 2:18 PM
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Just like other types of cancer, liver cancer also doesn’t show any key symptoms during the initial stage of the disease. However, as the cancer grows larger or the cancerous cells migrate to various parts of the body, you might experience few symptoms. Dr Deepak Chhabra, Surgical Oncologist, Mumbai sheds light on some of the common signs of liver cancer.
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Abdominal pain: If you experience pain in the upper abdomen, especially on the right side of the body on a regular basis, it could be liver cancer. Consult an oncologist or a liver specialist to know the exact cause and get treated.
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A lump in the abdomen: While the presence of a lump in the upper neck region could be a sign of lung cancer, appearance of a lump in the upper or lower abdomen or feeling of heaviness in the abdomen is a key sign of liver cancer.
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Swollen abdomen (bloating): Do not ignore swelling of the abdomen as it can be due to excessive growth of the cancer cells or due to fluid build up in the liver. This further puts pressure on the liver and the abdomen, which not only affects the liver function but also increases your risk of liver failure.
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Jaundice: Although not every person suffering from jaundice is at risk of liver cancer, in some cases, it could be an early sign of liver damage, which could then progress into liver cancer. Hence, symptoms like yellowing of the skin, eyes, pale stools and dark urine should never be ignored and get treated immediately.
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Fatigue: It might not be a red flag for liver cancer, but in some cases feeling very tired even after resting or while performing daily chores, should not be ignored. If you experience other symptoms like abdominal pain and fever, then consult a specialist immediately.
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Fever: It is difficult to classify fever as a sign of liver cancer as it is a common symptom for many diseases and infections. However, if you have been suffering from low-grade fever along with swollen abdomen or abdominal pain, then consult your doctor to get to the root cause of the symptom.
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Loss of appetite: In some cases, feeling of fullness or loss of appetite can be a sign of liver damage or liver cancer as toxins are not removed from the body due to impaired liver function.
