Experiences with

Liver cancer

SymptomsMedical treatmentsCausesDiagnosisPrevention

Liver cancer does not always have symptoms, but they can include yellow or itchy skin, darker pee or paler poo, loss of appetite and tiredness.

Treatment for liver cancer depends on your situation. It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted medicines.

Anyone can get liver cancer, but it's more common in men, people over 60 and those with conditions like cirrhosis.

Tests for liver cancer can include blood tests, a biopsy or scans like an ultrasound, CT or MRI.

Liver cancer cannot always be prevented. But healthy lifestyle changes like cutting down on alcohol can lower your chances of getting it.

Main symptoms of liver cancer

Liver cancer may not have any symptoms, or they might be hard to spot.

The symptoms are the same if the liver cancer starts in the liver (primary liver cancer) or spreads from another part of the body (secondary liver cancer).

Symptoms of liver cancer can include:

  • the whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice) – you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
  • loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
  • feeling tired or having no energy
  • feeling generally unwell or having symptoms like flu
  • a lump in the right side of your tummy

Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:

  • feeling or being sick
  • pain at the top right side of your tummy or in your right shoulder
  • symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling full very quickly when eating
  • a very swollen tummy that is not related to when you eat

  • your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow
  • you're being sick for more than 2 days

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

  • a lump in your tummy
  • lost a lot of weight without trying
  • symptoms of liver cancer that get worse or do not get better after 2 weeks

Main tests for liver cancer

You will need tests and scans to check for liver cancer if the GP refers you to a specialist.

These tests can include:

You may not have all these tests.

If you've already had another kind of cancer and the specialist thinks it might have spread to your liver (secondary liver cancer) you may also have a PET scan.

These tests can also help find problems in your bile ducts, pancreas or gallbladder.

Where to find help and support

If you have liver cancer, you and your loved ones will be supported throughout your treatment by a group of specialists.

The clinical nurse specialist, or another member of your specialist team will be able to give you information on local support services that you may find helpful.

There are also national cancer charities that offer support and information about liver cancer.

Liver Cancer UK

Dedicated charity for anyone affected by liver cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Cancer Research UK

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Maggie's

Practical, emotional and social support for anyone affected by cancer.

Marie Curie

Care and support for anyone affected by a terminal illness.

Main treatments for liver cancer

Liver cancer is often treatable, but it can be difficult to treat.

The treatment you have will depend on:

  • if the cancer started in the liver (primary) or spread from somewhere else (secondary), but treatments for primary and secondary liver cancer are similar
  • the size and type of liver cancer you have
  • where it is
  • if it has spread
  • your general health

It may include surgery, chemotherapy, using heat to destroy the cancer (thermal ablation), targeted medicines, and radiotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

  • explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
  • work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
  • help you manage any side effects, including changes to your diet to help you digest your food

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Who is more likely to get liver cancer

Anyone can get primary liver cancer. It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if you:

  • are over 60 – it's most common in people over 85
  • are a man
  • have certain medical conditions, such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, gallstones, diabetes, a parasite in the liver (liver flukes) or HIV
  • have a brother, sister or parent who had primary liver cancer

Secondary liver cancer is caused by cancer cells from a cancer somewhere else in the body spreading to the liver.

Many liver cancers are also linked to your lifestyle.

How to reduce your chances of getting primary liver cancer

You cannot always prevent liver cancer. But making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it.

  • try to lose weight if you're overweight

  • wear protective clothes and masks if you work in a job where you're exposed to harmful chemicals

  • try to cut down on alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 units a week

  • try to quit smoking

Related links

Content supplied by the NHS website

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

39,849 public posts

Liver cancer

finally got to talk to a very knowledgeable liver specialist having been trying to get some answers for months. He understood why I wanted to know and given some idea how long I can expect too live. He went into a lot of detail fully explaining all the scenarios, which is exactly what my wife and I wanted
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I am quite annoyed with how things have been going recently. I had to do various tests before they would operate. Well, the people who carried out these tests said I did okay, but the next thing I knew the liver physiotherapist said I had failed the tests which I was not happy to hear. The tests I
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AllysonBlueFaery
Community Ambassadorin Blue Faery Liver Cancer
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I am very positive and have been since being diagnosed with liver cancer. Of course, I shall inform you how it goes for me. Regards Mick
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I was lucky enough not only to get to attend the San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium but also to be a speaker! I was Blessed to be able to share Jimmy's story. Thank you so much Andrea for making this happen.
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59 year old man recently diagnosed with suspected liver cancer. I’m anxious, worried and frightened, not sleeping and unsure how to deal with this news. I’ve joined the forum as want to read about others experiences of dealing with this and in time share my own experiences. Thank you in advance
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hi all, i had ultra sound and Doc said it was fatty liver. I told him i was currently being treated for bladder cancer and he said I needed to go back to GP . GP has now done more bloods and i suspect she is testing for liver cancer. Initially I had an ALT of 37 and it increased to 52.
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UPCOMING WEBINAR: Childhood Liver Cancer

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AllysonBlueFaery
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AllysonBlueFaery
Community Ambassadorin Blue Faery Liver Cancer

ELF score

Our brother in law (sisters husband) followed the same trajectory (T2DM, cirrohsis was found, liver cancer found a few months after, biopsy went badly, died of liver cancer inside 7 months) and so I'm kind of asking questions as preparation for the worst. Thanks!
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information about liver transplants/liver cancer

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=AT1q4nZnRGFEk9DREjCfOr32vqyD8L1g6K0RcC_EDbD4oCwtB3eulAZZduYdqnytaPjLXB9ZdFhw53LtO0m0MZWIG09DGKjSAU58KK3Gx6FqL1ztOVQvumdzQlbjfVPHGO8tFD2m0oK5VyAVEzzJoUzd2pJDkD8m4nCGQIsZDX8eZvxWwFuOeOlBzlzmIDXByapbNibWWnHsiBDPCpdlit3QCvc3HXSgyaugkx8LKnX9JUKbsPscdDYOai6FkVHhe7jUsezWDdM0phZl2Gas6b6w_e9YfCqvk9s_pVzncIu2r7Dt7s1gfemxBPiIXaHYEiuPp0OwY
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DonnaBoll
Administratorin PBC Foundation

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