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Liver Cancer
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Liver Cancer signs, follow-up guidance, risk factors, testing information, and trusted cancer resources from PINC Foundation.
Liver cancer often develops in people with chronic liver disease, though it can occur without known disease. New jaundice, abdominal swelling, or upper-right pain needs assessment.
Primary liver cancer is uncommon in young adults in the United States, but chronic hepatitis B acquired at birth and certain metabolic or inherited liver diseases can raise risk earlier.
• Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection
• Cirrhosis from any cause
• Heavy alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease
• Aflatoxin exposure in some regions
• Certain inherited metabolic diseases
• Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection
• Cirrhosis from any cause
• Heavy alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease
• Aflatoxin exposure in some regions
• Certain inherited metabolic diseases
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Pain or a lump under the right ribs
• Abdominal swelling or fluid buildup
• Unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, or feeling full quickly
• Easy bruising, unusual fatigue, dark urine, or pale stools
Jaundice, a rapidly swelling abdomen, or worsening upper-right pain should be assessed promptly. Confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe weakness can be an emergency.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Pain or a lump under the right ribs
• Abdominal swelling or fluid buildup
• Unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, or feeling full quickly
• Easy bruising, unusual fatigue, dark urine, or pale stools
Jaundice, a rapidly swelling abdomen, or worsening upper-right pain should be assessed promptly. Confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe weakness can be an emergency.
Routine screening is not recommended for everyone. People at higher risk—such as many with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B—may be offered surveillance, commonly ultrasound with or without AFP about every six months, under specialist guidance.
• Liver blood tests and hepatitis testing
• Ultrasound, CT, or contrast MRI
• AFP blood test as one part of evaluation or surveillance
• Specialist review of characteristic imaging
• Biopsy when imaging does not provide a clear answer
Routine screening is not recommended for everyone. People at higher risk—such as many with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B—may be offered surveillance, commonly ultrasound with or without AFP about every six months, under specialist guidance.
• Liver blood tests and hepatitis testing
• Ultrasound, CT, or contrast MRI
• AFP blood test as one part of evaluation or surveillance
• Specialist review of characteristic imaging
• Biopsy when imaging does not provide a clear answer
• Do I have chronic liver disease or viral hepatitis?
• Am I in a group that needs liver surveillance?
• Which scan is appropriate for this finding?
• Should I see a hepatologist or liver cancer team?
• Do I have chronic liver disease or viral hepatitis?
• Am I in a group that needs liver surveillance?
• Which scan is appropriate for this finding?
• Should I see a hepatologist or liver cancer team?
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/liver
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/liver-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/liver
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/liver-cancer.html
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