Cancer that has spread from the primary location to other organs or parts of the body is called metastatic disease. The liver is a common place for metastases--especially from the breast, lung and gastrointestinal tract tumors like colon cancer, according to the Merck Manual. The symptoms of this condition may be nonspecific at first, but with time they become a bit more specific to the liver.
Weight Loss
A common early symptom of liver metastases from colon cancer is weight loss, according to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Patients with liver metastases tend to lose their appetites, and this may contribute to the weight loss as well. The primary colon cancer may be responsible for the weight loss, too.
Fatigue
Another nonspecific symptom of liver metastases from colon cancer is fatigue, or a general feeling of ill health. This is a nonspecific symptom, but when combined with other symptoms it may suggest a problem that a physician should investigate.
Hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly, or an enlargement of the liver, occurs when there are metastases to the liver. Sometimes the physician can feel specific nodules on the liver on examination; these nodules are clusters of the colon cancer that have traveled to the liver. The liver itself may be hard or tender to the touch.
Ascites
Another symptoms of liver metastases may be fluid in the abdomen, called ascites. The collection of fluid can cause the liver to swell as well. Patients with ascites from liver metastases may be uncomfortable; sometimes a physician may have to drain some of the fluid with a needle to help the patient.
Jaundice
Metastases to the liver may cause jaundice. Excessive bilirubin in the blood causes this condition and can lead to yellowing of the white of the eyes and skin and itching of the skin. This is more common when the biliary system in the liver is blocked by a metastatic colon cancer mass.
