According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) most of the time cancer doesn't start in the liver but develops in another organ and moves to the liver. This is called secondary or metastatic cancer. Secondary liver cancer is often diagnosed in patients with advanced cases of lung, colorectal and breast cancers among others. In some cases there few symptoms of metastatic liver cancer but often times there are warning signs to indicate that a primary cancer has spread to this vital organ.
Weight Loss
The Cancer Centers of America says secondary liver cancer may not produce any symptoms until it is in an advanced or late stage. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says patients with secondary liver cancer may experience a loss of appetite and lose weight.
Some people with liver cancer may become anorexic. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves limited food intake that can lead to starvation and an inability to maintain a minimum body weight.
Enlarged Liver and Spleen
According to the Cancer Centers of America as growing cancer cells cause the liver to enlarge it may result in pain or discomfort in the upper, right area of the abdomen. This enlargement provokes nerves located below the diaphragm, and may lead to tenderness in the right shoulder.
The spleen (an organ involved in the production and maintenance of red blood cells, located on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm) may also enlarge.
When the liver becomes swollen a hard lump can be detected on the right side of the abdomen. Expansion of the spleen will cause a solid lump on the left side of abdomen.
Jaundice
The NIH says jaundice (a yellowish color in the skin or eyes) is another possible symptom of secondary liver cancer that occurs when the bile ducts (tube-like structures that carry bile) become obstructed and bile produced by the liver travels back into the bloodstream. Jaundice may cause the skin to itch and result in darkened urine and/or light-colored stools.
Miscellaneous Symptoms
Other possible symptoms associated with secondary liver cancer are dizziness, fatigue and weakness especially in the arms and legs. The veins may enlarge and become more noticeable through the skin. The breasts in men may become larger.
Additional signs include nausea, vomiting and fever.
