The National Cancer Institute explains that in 2009, doctors diagnosed 22,620 people with liver or bile duct cancers. Four types of primary liver cancers exist: hepatocellular carcinoma, bile duct cancers, cancers in the blood vessels of the liver and hepatoblastoma. The American Cancer Society points out that hepatocellular carcinoma, which starts in the hepatocytes, or liver cells, accounts for 75 percent of liver cancer cases, followed by bile duct cancers, which are about 10 to 20 percent of cases. Some liver cancer patients may have metastatic liver cancer, which starts elsewhere in the body.
Liver Damage
MedlinePlus notes that most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma result from cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. The scarring on the liver is irreversible, and treatments cannot reverse this damage. The cirrhosis causes the liver to function poorly. As the liver cancer advances, patients can develop liver failure. With the liver failure, the liver no longer works, which may require the patient needing a liver transplant.
Loss of Appetite and Weight
Liver cancer patients may feel ill or have nausea, which can affect their appetite. The MayoClinic.com notes that patients can have a loss of appetite, which can lead to unintentional weight loss. The vomiting that some patients experience with liver cancer may also cause weight loss. The American Cancer Society points out that bile duct cancer patients may not feel hungry, resulting in weight loss.
Changes in Stool and Urine
The American Cancer Society explains that patients with bile duct cancer can have changes in their stool and urine depending on the levels of bilirubin, a chemical in the bile. For example, if a bile duct cancer patient has blocked bilirubin in his intestine, he can have lighter stool. When bilirubin levels are high in the blood, it can turn the urine dark.
Jaundice
An effect that all liver cancers cause is jaundice, in which the whites of the patients' eyes and the skin becomes yellow. The American Cancer Society explains that jaundice occurs when the liver cannot remove the bile as it normally does. As a result, the bile builds up in the bloodstream, affecting tissues and causing the yellow color.
Abdominal Pain and Swelling
Liver cancer can cause noticeable changes to patients' abdomens. MedlinePlus points out that patients can experience pain and tenderness in the upper-right part of the abdomen. Patients may notice that their abdomens become enlarged. The American Cancer Society adds that advanced bile duct cancers may cause pain, which occurs below the right-sided ribs.
Easy Bruising
MedlinePlus notes that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma can become injured easily resulting in bruising. This easy bruising from liver cancer may also result in easy bleeding if the injury breaks the skin.
Other Effects of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer can affect other parts of the body. For example, MayoClinic.com notes that liver cancer patients can experience weakness or fatigue, which can make it difficult for them to carry out their daily tasks. Patients with bile cancer may experience fevers. The American Cancer Society adds that bile cancer patients may also have itching from excess bilirubin in the blood that reaches the skin.
