Cancerbackup: Q-106

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What symptoms can secondary liver cancer that has spread from the bowel cause?

The commonest symptoms from bowel cancer that has spread to the liver are

  • loss of appetite
  • weakness and tiredness (fatigue)
  • sickness
  • discomfort or pain.

The liver helps our body to break down and use the food we eat. When it's not working properly loss of appetite is common. If you don't feel like eating you are also likely to lose weight. Sometimes there are also changes in how foods taste, and some foods that were previously enjoyed taste unpleasant.

The liver converts the food we eat into energy. So when the liver is not working properly loss of energy, weakness and fatigue are also common problems.

Sickness may be either a sensation of feeling sick (nausea) or less commonly, actually being sick (vomiting).

Secondary liver cancer doesn't always cause pain. But, pain may occur if the fibrous covering of the liver known as the capsule is affected. This is usually felt on the right side of the upper part of the tummy, or lower part of the chest, where the main part of the liver lies. Often the liver becomes bigger causing a dull discomfort but sometimes the pain may be more severe. Occasionally people feel pain in their right shoulder.

There are many treatments to relieve symptoms and control secondary liver cancer that has spread from the bowel. So, there is a lot that can be done to ease symptoms and keep things comfortable.


Content last reviewed: 22 August 2006
Page last modified: 28 April 2008

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