The Silent Signals of Liver Cancer: Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

One of the most common cancers, which is also becoming one of the leading causes of fatality amongst cancer diseases, is liver cancer. The major problem or issue with this cancer is that most patients are diagnosed at a later stage, as it doesn’t show major symptoms during the early development stage. This major part of the human system, that's the liver, is one of the vital organs that needs utmost care as it plays a significant role in detoxification, metabolism, digestion, maintaining immunity and nutrient storage. Unfortunately, because the liver has a significant reserve capacity, many people will have few to no symptoms during the initial stage. Treatment options become more complex when this sort of late-stage diagnosis occurs in this medical condition, leading to multiple health-compromised medical complications. The diseases that impact the liver directly, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), become the major factors for the increased risk of Liver cancer, but there are cases where this can show up with no obvious medical conditions as well. Hence, it is very important for people to understand the early warning signs so as to avoid further complications, especially those at risk of liver conditions or those who already have pre-existing medical conditions. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness, not to scare anyone.

The classic symptom is unexplained weight loss or sudden loss of weight. In this symptom, people not only observe a sudden loss of body weight but also eat significantly less or feel full before finishing their usual amount of food. This sign is often overlooked, often attributed to dietary issues, stress, or anxiety. Persistent fatigue becomes one more symptom. Unlike common fatigue, fatigue that occurs during cancer is more intolerable and doesn't go away easily with rest, affecting daily activities and overall quality of life. Most people also complain about general weakness and significant loss of stamina. As you can see, all these symptoms appear generic, as they may resemble common symptoms in many other medical conditions, which is also true; hence, they are overlooked, and this illness is diagnosed at a late stage. If chronic fatigue occurs along with unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, especially in the case of those who have liver conditions, or were earlier diagnosed with any sort of liver conditions or if any of the primary family members had liver health issues or were detected with liver cancer, they must promptly get the diagnosis done from liver health experts. Early diagnosis doesn't just include a consultation with a liver expert; it also includes blood tests, liver imaging, and, if required, advanced diagnostic tests.

When the liver cancer advances, if one fails or ignores noticing the earlier symptoms, then they will start experiencing the direct symptoms related to their liver and the other organs surrounding it. Discomfort or pain on the right side of the abdomen is the most commonly reported symptom. Initially, this pain or discomfort may occur occasionally with mild pain, but later it starts occurring more frequently with acute pain. Some patients experience pain under their right side ribs, and in some cases, due to liver enlargement, a lump or swelling may be felt in the upper abdomen. A condition called Ascites, which happens due to fluid

accumulation causing abdominal swelling, may also occur. Here, in the case of ascites, increased waist circumference, bloating, and a feeling of abdominal tightness are the most common presentations. Additionally, an individual may experience pain in the right shoulder region due to irritation of nerves connected to the diaphragm. These symptoms should never be ignored, especially if they are occurring in the case of people who have pre-existing liver issues. The advanced medical science & technology related to CT Scans, MRIs, and ultrasound nowadays can easily help experts to detect whether these symptoms are related to liver cancer or any other liver health conditions.

Now let's look at one more common health condition, which is Jaundice, which can also increase the risk of Liver Cancer. Yes, jaundice can also become one more symptom in a few people, which can exhibit the signs of liver cancer as well. When the liver fails to process bilirubin effectively, and it accumulates in the bloodstream, jaundice can occur. Patients can also notice itching or rashes over the body, pale-coloured stools, and dark-coloured urine. Though jaundice can occur due to many reasons, impacting the health issues related to the liver, its occurrence should never be ignored. Our liver health, along with our GI (Gastrointestinal) health, is directly related to our mental health; hence, some people might also notice an altered mental state or frequently occurring confusion. Some may also develop swelling in the legs, easy bruising, and bleeding tendencies. These may not look serious, but when these sorts of signs show up in people with preexisting liver health issues or complications, they can't be ignored. In the case of individual patients with cirrhosis, a sudden deterioration in liver function can never be ignored, which might be indicative of liver cancer. Hence, liver health experts who are HPB & Liver Transplant surgeons always recommend and suggest regular ultrasound and blood tests to those who are at high risk of liver cancer, so that tumours can be found at an early stage and treatment can be given to avoid the advancement of this condition.

As medical professionals, we always believe and say the only way to avoid the complications is to detect the cancer early and to start the immediate possible treatment. It is applicable not just in the case of liver-related cancer but also to any sort of cancer. Hence, the high-risk population must always ensure they receive periodic health tests and screenings. As we discussed earlier, many warning signs may appear only at an advanced stage, and only through proper early screenings can we detect cancer at an early stage. People who have a family history of liver cancer and especially those individuals living with existing liver conditions such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) should undergo periodic surveillance under medical guidance. One can reduce the risk of liver cancer by following healthy lifestyle habits, regular exercise, dietary modification and supervision, avoiding alcohol and smoking and taking timely vaccination for hepatitis. Any aforesaid symptoms occurring frequently must never be ignored; they must be shown to liver health experts and treated on time by medical professionals. Most of the above symptoms may not always indicate liver cancer, but identifying them early can help get treatment for any associated medical conditions when

treatment is most effective. Let's take care of our Liver Health like we prioritise our other organs' health, without forgetting the liver's vital functions, which are essential for our day-to-day well-being.