11 Common Symptoms Linked To Liver Cancer

The liver may not get as much attention as the heart or lungs, but this football-sized organ plays a crucial role in keeping you alive and well. Nestled above the stomach and beneath the diaphragm, the liver filters toxins from your blood, aids in digestion, and supports dozens of vital processes. Unfortunately, it can also be the site of serious disease—including cancer. While hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer, other forms like hepatoblastoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma also occur. In fact, liver cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread from another part of the body. Because early symptoms can be subtle or easily mistaken for other conditions, liver cancer often goes undetected until it’s more advanced. That’s why recognizing the early warning signs is so important. In this updated guide, we’ve expanded our list to highlight 11 common symptoms linked to liver cancer—so you can spot the signals early and seek help when it matters most.

1. Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition where an individual's skin or the white part of their eyes turn yellow. Bilirubin is a resulting compound of the process of red blood cell breakdown. When bilirubin is broken down by the liver, it produces a compound called urobilin with a potent yellow pigment. Urobilin is excreted from the body through the urine and gives it the yellow coloring. Bilirubin is also responsible for the yellowing that occurs in the last stages of the bruise healing process. Bilirubin in healthy individuals is removed through the stool and the urine after being processed in the liver. The cells that make up a cancerous tumor in the liver can eventually crowd out and replace the healthy, functional liver cells. Malignant tumors also cause liver tissues to become damaged, producing cirrhosis. Rarely, a tumor can grow into or large enough to obstruct the flow of bile from the liver into the small intestine. It is a combination of these factors that results in the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood that leeches into the skin and white of the eye.

2. Unexpected Weight Loss

An individual affected by liver cancer can experience unexpected weight loss. Over two-thirds of all individuals diagnosed with cancer have wasting of the body tissue (cachexia). Body fat and skeletal muscle are the types of tissue most commonly affected by wasting. The first mechanism that causes weight loss and wasting in affected individuals is associated with the liver's role in fat digestion. The liver produces bile, which is secreted into the small intestine to assist with breaking fats and other substances down into units the intestine can absorb. Liver cancer stops the liver from being able to produce enough bile for this process. Less commonly, a tumor can block the bile duct and inhibits bile from reaching the small intestine. Fats that aren't digested are not absorbed and are excreted in the stool. Fats also cannot be transported throughout the body when the liver can no longer produce fat transporting proteins. The malfunctions in fat absorption and deposition result in weight loss. Other symptoms such as appetite loss and feeling full easily also produce unexpected weight loss in liver cancer patients.

3. Loss Of Appetite

An individual experiencing a loss of appetite may be affected by liver cancer. The liver is already a relatively large organ in the body that sits directly on top of the stomach. Any mechanism that causes the stomach to become compressed can cause the individual to feel full when they have eaten very little or nothing at all. This feeling of fullness causes a loss in the desire to eat food. A liver tumor can grow to a large size before actual liver cell displacement begins to occur. The liver as a whole becomes enlarged, causing the stomach to become compressed. Stomach compression worsens when the affected individual is in an upright position due to gravity. Another mechanism responsible for the loss of appetite in liver cancer is the buildup of toxins in the body. Malignancy causes the liver to have a diminished ability to filter and breakdown toxins in the blood. This toxicity causes multiple digestive symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. An individual with these digestive symptoms will lose their desire to eat.

4. White And Chalky Stools

Individuals affected by liver cancer can have white and chalky stool. Bile is a substance required for the proper digestion of fats. The liver produces bile, and it is stored in the gallbladder until it is needed for digestion in the small intestine. Bile is also the substance that gives an individual's stool its brown color. Light stools occur when they are composed of a trivial amount or no bile. Liver cancer in an advanced stage can compromise liver function to the point where it is not producing any bile to aid in digestion. Healthy liver cells responsible for this function are replaced by rapidly multiplying and non-functional cancer cells and dense, fibrous scar tissue. Depending on the location and position of the liver tumor, the tube that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine or the bile duct can become compressed. If cancer grows into, around, or down the bile duct, it can stop bile from draining into the small intestine. When bile does not reach the intestine due to lack of production or obstruction, the affected individual has white and chalky stools.

5. Abdominal Swelling

Abdominal swelling is a common symptom seen in individuals affected by liver cancer. General abdominal swelling occurs due to the enlargement of the liver by the rapid growth of the cancerous tumor. Additionally, both the cancerous tumor growth and cirrhosis from liver tissue damage can cause the buildup of pressure in the liver. Increased pressure in the liver does not allow adequate amounts of blood to pass through the veins, resulting in a backup of blood in the veins. Naturally occurring mechanisms are in place that causes fluid to leech from the veins into neighboring tissues when there is an accumulation or pooling of blood. The fluid may leak into the inner peritoneum that contains the liver and other organs, or it can leak into the space between the inner and outer peritoneum layers. The peritoneum is responsible for producing a trivial amount of fluid between its layers to assist with lubrication and to protect the organs. Cancerous cells can cause the lining to become inflamed and produce excess fluid as a result. Liver cancer can obstruct the lymph vessels responsible for draining excess fluid, also allowing it to build up in the abdomen.

6. Persistent Nausea and Vomiting

Chronic nausea and vomiting can be more than just signs of an upset stomach—they can be subtle red flags for liver cancer. As tumors grow and liver function declines, the buildup of toxins in the blood can trigger digestive distress. The liver normally filters out harmful substances, but when it’s compromised, these toxins linger in the bloodstream and affect multiple systems, including the stomach and brain. Additionally, reduced bile production disrupts digestion, leading to nausea after meals or even on an empty stomach. Vomiting may become more frequent as the disease progresses, especially in tandem with appetite loss or abdominal swelling. If these symptoms are persistent and unexplained, they warrant a closer look—especially if other signs of liver dysfunction are present.

7. Itchy Skin Without a Rash

Unrelenting itchiness with no visible rash can be a surprisingly early symptom of liver cancer. This occurs when bile salts accumulate in the bloodstream due to impaired liver function or bile duct blockage caused by a tumor. These salts irritate nerve endings in the skin, creating an intense, widespread itch—often worse at night or after bathing. Unlike allergic reactions, this itching doesn’t present with bumps, redness, or inflammation, making it easy to dismiss. Moisturizers and antihistamines typically offer little relief. If you experience persistent itching that doesn't respond to treatment—and especially if it occurs with fatigue or jaundice—it may be time to investigate liver health as a possible root cause.

8. Shoulder or Right-Sided Pain

While liver cancer primarily affects the abdomen, pain can radiate to less expected areas—like the right shoulder. This referred pain occurs when tumors stretch the liver’s capsule or press against surrounding nerves and tissues. The diaphragm, which shares nerve pathways with the shoulder, can transmit pain signals upward, causing discomfort that feels muscular but isn’t relieved by rest or massage. Individuals may also feel pain in the upper right side of the back or ribs. If you're experiencing persistent pain in these areas without a known injury—and especially if it worsens with deep breaths or physical activity—liver cancer could be one explanation.

9. Easy Bruising and Bleeding

The liver produces proteins that help the blood clot properly. When the liver is under strain from cancer, it can no longer produce these proteins in sufficient amounts, making patients more prone to bruising and prolonged bleeding—even from minor cuts or bumps. You might notice frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums when brushing teeth, or unexplained bruises on your arms and legs. This symptom can sometimes be confused with vitamin deficiencies or blood disorders, so it’s crucial to consider liver health when these signs appear alongside other related issues like fatigue or jaundice.

10. Mental Confusion or Personality Changes (Hepatic Encephalopathy)

As liver cancer progresses, it can impair the organ’s ability to clear toxins from the bloodstream. These toxins, especially ammonia, can build up and reach the brain—leading to a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy. Symptoms may include confusion, forgetfulness, mood swings, trouble concentrating, or even personality changes. In severe cases, individuals may appear disoriented or struggle with speech. This neurological side effect is particularly concerning and can be mistaken for dementia or depression. Prompt medical attention and supportive care can help manage this condition, especially when caught early.

11. Dark Urine

Dark-colored urine—especially when not caused by dehydration—can be a telltale sign of liver dysfunction. In liver cancer, excess bilirubin (a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown) spills into the bloodstream and is filtered out by the kidneys, resulting in urine that ranges from deep yellow to brownish. While darker urine can also be due to medications or food dyes, a persistent change in color, especially when paired with pale stools or jaundice, should prompt a checkup. This symptom is one of the body’s earliest visual cues that something may be wrong with liver function.

Listening to Your Liver: Know the Signs Before It’s Too Late

Your liver might be the hardest-working organ you never think about—until something goes wrong. Recognizing the warning signs of liver cancercan be the difference between early intervention and a missed diagnosis. From subtle symptoms like itchy skin or dark urine to more concerning issues like unexplained weight loss, mental fog, or jaundice, your body often sends signals before things take a serious turn. While many of these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, their presence—especially in combination—deserves attention. Regular checkups, blood work, and imaging tests are vital tools for catching liver issues early, particularly if you have risk factors like chronic hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, or a family history of liver disease. Don’t ignore the whispers from your body—early detection saves lives. Stay informed, stay proactive, and give your liver the attention it quietly demands to keep the rest of you thriving.