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Understanding Liver Cancer
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cancer
This is the second article in the Understanding Liver Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on June 20, 2026
Liver cancer begins when cells in the liver grow out of control, forming a tumor or abnormal growth. These changes can eventually cause signs and symptoms. Signs are things that can be measured or seen by a doctor, like a tumor visible on an imaging scan. Symptoms are things you feel in your body, like pain or fatigue.
One of the most important things to know about liver cancer is that it often causes no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have grown quite large or spread beyond the liver. This is why regular surveillance with imaging tests is so important for people who have cirrhosis or other conditions that increase their risk of liver cancer.
Many of the symptoms of liver cancer can also be caused by the underlying liver disease rather than by the cancer itself. If you notice any of the symptoms listed below, or any new or worsening symptoms that concern you, talk to your doctor right away.
THE BASICS: The most common symptoms of liver cancer include pain or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen, an enlarged liver that can sometimes be felt as a hard lump below the right rib cage, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, and jaundice. Jaundice means the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow, often because the liver is not working properly or because the tumor is blocking a bile duct. Because liver cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, people at high risk should have regular surveillance imaging.
What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer?
Pain and swelling
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen or around the right shoulder blade
- A hard lump or feeling of fullness under the right side of the rib cage, which may indicate an enlarged liver
- Swelling of the abdomen, which can happen when fluid builds up in the belly. This is called ascites and is related to liver disease and portal hypertension.
Changes related to liver function
- Jaundice. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Dark-colored urine
- Pale or chalky-colored stools
- Itching of the skin
General symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- A general feeling of being unwell
- Fever that is not explained by an infection
Symptoms that may mean the cancer has spread
- Bone pain or fractures, which can occur if cancer has spread to the bones
- Shortness of breath, which can happen if cancer has spread to the lungs
- Worsening abdominal pain or a rapidly enlarging belly
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, or notice changes to your health that concern you, talk to your doctor right away. Finding liver cancer at an early stage gives you the best chance of successful treatment. Do not wait to see if symptoms go away on their own.
What’s Next: The next page in this guide describes the Risk Factors for Liver Cancer. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Liver Cancer page and choose another page from the menu.
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cancer
This is the second article in the Understanding Liver Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on June 20, 2026
Liver cancer begins when cells in the liver grow out of control, forming a tumor or abnormal growth. These changes can eventually cause signs and symptoms. Signs are things that can be measured or seen by a doctor, like a tumor visible on an imaging scan. Symptoms are things you feel in your body, like pain or fatigue.
One of the most important things to know about liver cancer is that it often causes no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have grown quite large or spread beyond the liver. This is why regular surveillance with imaging tests is so important for people who have cirrhosis or other conditions that increase their risk of liver cancer.
Many of the symptoms of liver cancer can also be caused by the underlying liver disease rather than by the cancer itself. If you notice any of the symptoms listed below, or any new or worsening symptoms that concern you, talk to your doctor right away.
THE BASICS: The most common symptoms of liver cancer include pain or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen, an enlarged liver that can sometimes be felt as a hard lump below the right rib cage, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, and jaundice. Jaundice means the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow, often because the liver is not working properly or because the tumor is blocking a bile duct. Because liver cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, people at high risk should have regular surveillance imaging.
What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer?
Pain and swelling
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen or around the right shoulder blade
- A hard lump or feeling of fullness under the right side of the rib cage, which may indicate an enlarged liver
- Swelling of the abdomen, which can happen when fluid builds up in the belly. This is called ascites and is related to liver disease and portal hypertension.
Changes related to liver function
- Jaundice. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Dark-colored urine
- Pale or chalky-colored stools
- Itching of the skin
General symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- A general feeling of being unwell
- Fever that is not explained by an infection
Symptoms that may mean the cancer has spread
- Bone pain or fractures, which can occur if cancer has spread to the bones
- Shortness of breath, which can happen if cancer has spread to the lungs
- Worsening abdominal pain or a rapidly enlarging belly
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, or notice changes to your health that concern you, talk to your doctor right away. Finding liver cancer at an early stage gives you the best chance of successful treatment. Do not wait to see if symptoms go away on their own.
What’s Next: The next page in this guide describes the Risk Factors for Liver Cancer. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Liver Cancer page and choose another page from the menu.
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