Liver cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of your liver. There are many types of cancers that can form in the liver, the most common being hepatocellular carcinoma and other types such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma.
Liver Cancer Symptoms
Weight loss – losing more than 10% of your body weight without explanation
Swollen abdomen – This could be from the liver growth or because of fluids building up in the abdomen
Yellowish skin – jaundice is the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
Dark colored urine
Loss of appetite over a period of time
Being sick
Feeling full or bloated after eating
Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
Itching
Sudden worsening of health
High temperature and sweating
Liver Cancer Causes
Although the exact cause of liver cancer is not known here are following risk factors that may contribute to its development:
Cirrhosis-scarring of the liver due to prior damage
Infection with hepatitis viruses – long term infection with hepatitis B or C
Smoking
Diabetes
Low immunity – HIV/AIDS are more likely to develop liver cancer
Anabolic steroid use – long term users of anabolic steroids are at a higher risk
Family history – people who have a primary relative diagnosed with liver cancer are 4 times more likely to develop liver cancer, according to a study