Liver cancer is a type of cancer that begins when the cells in liver or surrounding tissues become abnormal and begin to multiply. The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Many factors can increase the risk for developing liver cancer, including excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, obesity, hepatitis, and more.

Most often, identifying a disease while it is still in its early stages can greatly slow its progression. It is no different with liver cancer, and if caught early, treatment is generally more successful. Here are some early symptoms to look out for when determining liver cancer:

1. Losing weight without trying
While a majority of Americans across the nation are hustling to lose weight, some individuals may be able to do so without even trying. This could be attributed to a high metabolism; however, excessive, unexplained weight loss could signal a more severe underlying health concern, like liver cancer (or any type of cancer). Weight loss is often attributed to an underlying gastrointestinal condition, although your liver could be impacted as well.

2. Upper abdominal pain and swelling
Liver cancer means that your cells are malfunctioning and attacking your organs. While your body may be going through a lot of stress, some of this stress may be physically experienced as pain centralized in the upper abdomen. You may also notice that your stomach is constantly bloated and while this may be normal depending on your diet, it is an important symptom to mention to your physician.

3. General fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms across all forms of cancer. In most cases, unexplained fatigue is what brings most patients in for their first doctor’s visit. Fatigue is common in the early stages of most cancers, including liver cancer.

4. Jaundice
Jaundice is a medical term that refers to the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. This occurs when the liver cells are damaged and the liver cannot function properly. This causes the bilirubin levels to build up in the bloodstream, leading to the yellowing of the skin, eyes and nail beds. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment created during the breakdown of red blood cells. After it is excreted, it typically passes through the liver to be excreted. Without a properly functioning liver, bilirubin levels can drastically increase.

5. White or chalky stools
The liver is tasked with producing the bile salts that typically give your stools a brown color. If the liver is damaged, it will not be able to produce these salts and your stools may become pale or white in color.

6. Nausea and vomiting
The liver is responsible for a variety of tasks, including eliminating toxins from your body. As your liver loses its ability to do so, stress may be placed on the digestive system. Plenty of toxins will accumulate in your gastrointestinal system and you may frequently feel nauseous.

By identifying your symptoms early, you may be able to begin HCC liver cancer treatment immediately. HCC treatment may include chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation depending on the progression of the cancer. By beginning treatment right away, you will have a high chance of fully recovering from liver cancer.