Liver cancer

In the early stages primary liver cancer may have no symptoms or symptoms may be vague. Symptoms can include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting 
• Swelling or pain in your tummy
• Dull, achy pain in your right shoulder
• Loss of appetite, or feeling very full after a small meal
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, pale poo and itchy skin)
• High temperature of 38°C or higher

Testing for liver cancer when you have no symptoms is called screening. There is no national liver cancer screening programme in Ireland at present. 

Talk to your doctor about surveillance if you have a liver disease such as hepatitis B or C, genetic haemochromatosis or liver cirrhosis, as your risk of liver cancer is higher. 

Surveillance means having regular tests to check the health of your liver and spot any abnormal changes. For example, blood tests and ultrasound scans.

Talk to your doctor about surveillance if you have a liver disease such as hepatitis B or C, genetic haemochromatosis or liver cirrhosis, as your risk of liver cancer is higher.

If you have cirrhosis as a result of alcohol or drug-taking, you will be expected to work with your doctor to stop using alcohol or drugs if surveillance is to be considered. If you carry on, you're more likely to get liver cancer and it will be harder to treat.