Early Signs of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is a type of cancer that begins when the cells in liver or surrounding tissues become abnormal and begin to multiply. The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Many factors can increase the risk for developing liver cancer, including excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, obesity, hepatitis, and more. Most often, identifying a disease while it is still in its early stages can greatly slow its progression. It is no different with liver cancer, and if caught early, treatment is generally more successful. Here are some early symptoms to look out for when determining liver cancer: 1. Losing weight without trying While a majority of Americans across the nation are hustling to lose weight, some individuals may be able to do so without even trying. This could be attributed to a high metabolism; however, excessive, unexplained weight loss could signal a more severe underlying health concern, like liver cancer (or any type of cancer). Weight loss is often attributed to an underlying gastrointestinal condition, although your liver could be impacted as well. 2. Upper abdominal pain and swelling Liver cancer means that your cells are malfunctioning and attacking your organs.