Introduction
Liver cancer is one of the most dreaded cancer types. It is reported to be the third leading cause of cancer deaths. Liver cancer does not always cause symptoms in the early stages; patients often experience symptoms in later stages when the tumor has grown significantly. This may contribute to poor treatment outcomes and higher mortality rates among liver cancer patients.
Another challenge associated with identifying liver cancer symptoms is that they are often vague and mimic the symptoms of various non-severe gastrointestinal conditions.
This article discusses different liver cancer symptoms seen in men and women and aims to help individuals learn which symptoms are alarming and what needs to be done should they appear.
Do Men and Women Experience Different Liver Cancer Symptoms?
Men and women experience similar liver cancer symptoms in most cases.
However, there are certain differences between the two genders with respect to the development of liver cancer and the prevalence of certain types of liver cancer in specific genders.
Liver cancer is more common among men, as they have higher chances of having other liver conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis, and more.
Women, on the other hand, tend to develop benign liver tumors.
When it comes to the prevalence of certain types of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more common in men, whereas, among women, fibrolamellar type of HCC is more common.
Commonly Observed Liver Cancer Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, liver cancer may not always be present in the early stages. Therefore, paying attention to any abdominal symptom that lasts more than two weeks is necessary.
These symptoms can be seen in both men and women with liver cancer.
The following are the different symptoms of liver cancer:
- Pain on the right side of the abdomen, right below the rib cage, is observed.
- As the tumor grows, the patient begins to feel full with smaller quantities of food, and gradually, a loss of appetite is observed.
- Liver cancer patients experience nausea and vomiting because of hampered liver functions.
- Liver cancer leads to poor bilirubin metabolism and causes buildup in the body; this leads to jaundice, which is characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Poor liver functioning caused by cancer can lead to dark-colored urine and light-colored stools.
- Liver cancer causes ascites (fluid buildup) formation in advanced stages.
- Liver cancer patients tend to experience severe weight loss, possibly due to loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and malnutrition caused by hampered GI functions.
- Liver cancer patients also experience severe fatigue, as the liver’s ability to produce energy is affected.
What Should You Do When You Experience Liver Cancer Symptoms?
Any abdominal symptoms that last more than two weeks should not be ignored. Consider seeing a gastroenterologist for a detailed evaluation. Certain non-cancerous conditions can lead to the above-discussed symptoms, and the only way to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis is to see a specialist.
