Symptoms of late-stage liver cancer deterioration

Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
Updated on March 08, 2025
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If liver cancer reaches an advanced stage, many symptoms will appear. For example, there will be pain in the liver area due to the tumor's growth pulling on the liver capsule, causing persistent swelling in the upper right part or stomach pain. If the tumor invades the pectoral muscles, it may cause referred pain in the right shoulder or back. Some patients may experience an enlarged liver due to the increased size of the tumor, which feels painful when pressed. Additionally, the increase and pressure from the tumor can obstruct bile excretion, leading to jaundice, and symptoms of cirrhosis may also appear. In general, the main symptoms of advanced liver cancer include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If the condition worsens, metastatic symptoms may occur; lung metastasis can cause the patient to cough and expel phlegm, and bone metastasis can cause localized pain and lumps.

Other Voices

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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What can people with primary liver cancer eat?

Primary liver cancer, commonly referred to as liver cancer, is a type of malignant tumor of the digestive system. As for diet, there are generally no specific prohibitions. However, it is recommended to stick to a light and easily digestible diet. High-protein foods and high-quality proteins, such as fish, eggs, and protein powder, are very good options. It is best to avoid spicy, pickled, smoked, or grilled foods, as these are not conducive to health. Also, any food that is clearly moldy should definitely be avoided. The main causes of primary liver cancer include infection with aflatoxin and contaminated drinking water, which are two main causes of primary liver cancer. Other causes, like hepatitis virus infections, are also major contributors to primary liver cancer.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Common symptoms of primary liver cancer

The initial symptoms of primary liver cancer are mostly pain in the liver area, which commonly presents as abdominal pain. Some patients may also experience bloating, fatigue, and weight loss as systemic symptoms. In advanced-stage liver cancer patients, there can be an enlargement of the liver, meaning a palpable enlarged mass can be felt in the abdomen. Other symptoms include jaundice and ascites, which can cause abdominal bloating. Upon physical examination, an obvious increase in abdominal girth and abdominal distension can be noted. Moreover, patients with advanced liver cancer may also suffer from complications such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, rupture and bleeding of the liver cancer nodules, liver failure, and even hepatic encephalopathy, among others.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is increased lung markings related to liver cancer?

Increased pulmonary markings are clinically associated with many inducing factors, but they are not directly related to liver cancer. It's important to understand that liver cancer involves the presence of cancer cells in the liver, while increased pulmonary markings are radiographic signs observed during lung imaging examinations. Clinically, there are many factors that can lead to increased pulmonary markings, but liver cancer does not cause this condition. Typically, increased pulmonary markings may be due to excessive obesity, long-term smoking, or the presence of inflammatory lesions in the lungs, all of which can cause varying degrees of increased pulmonary markings.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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Is primary liver cancer contagious?

Primary liver cancer refers to malignant tumors that occur in the liver and are not metastasized from other parts of the body. Such liver cancer itself is not contagious. However, if liver cancer patients have other infectious diseases, transmission may be possible. Most primary liver cancers are related to liver cirrhosis following hepatitis, with hepatitis B being the most common. If accompanied by hepatitis B, it can be contagious, but it usually doesn't spread through regular daily contact. The main transmission routes for hepatitis B are through blood, mother-to-child transmission, and sexual transmission. This means that as long as the patient's blood does not injure someone else, contagion is generally unlikely, so there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Does liver cancer cause nosebleeds in its early stages?

Patients with early-stage liver cancer generally do not exhibit clinical symptoms of nosebleeds. Nosebleeds are a clinical manifestation of late-stage liver cancer. Early-stage liver cancer patients usually have atypical symptoms, which may include tenderness in the liver area, decreased appetite, abdominal bloating, and symptoms of indigestion. As the disease progresses, the liver cancer invades surrounding tissues and metastasizes to distant sites, leading to liver function impairment and coagulation disorders, which can result in nosebleeds. Some patients may also develop splenic hyperfunction due to liver damage, leading to a decrease in platelets, which can also cause nosebleeds. Additionally, some patients in the late stages may develop disseminated intravascular coagulation, leading to spontaneous internal and mucosal bleeding, clinically manifesting as nosebleeds.