Secondary Liver Cancer Symptoms

Secondary liver cancer (liver metastases) is the result of cancer originating in another part of the body and spreading to the liver. Even though the cancer spreads to the liver, secondary liver cancer will function according to its origin (i.e., breast cancer involving the liver will function as breast cancer).

Causes

• Lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma (skin tumors), and esophageal cancer can all be originating causes of secondary liver cancer.

Symptoms

• Although symptoms may not be present for a long time, when symptoms occur they may include jaundice (blocked bile duct), loss of appetite, nausea, enlarged spleen, weight loss, and ascites (swelling in the abdominal cavity).

Diagnosis

• Liver function tests (simple blood tests) are done to determine abnormalities in the liver; however, more extensive testing like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) and ultrasonography test of the liver may be required to detect the cancer.

Treatment

• Treatment for secondary liver cancer can include chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy to the liver, and surgery.

Complications

• Cancer spreading to the large area of the liver can cause severe complications, including blockage of bile flow and liver failure (usually occur in the last stages of the disease).