Does liver cancer cause jaundice?

Jaundice makes the skin or whites of the eyes look yellow. It develops when bilirubin, a yellow substance produced as red blood cells are broken down, is not processed or cleared normally. A tumour in the liver can interfere with liver function or obstruct the channels that carry bile, allowing bilirubin to accumulate.

Dark urine, pale stools, itching, reduced appetite, nausea or discomfort under the right ribs may occur with jaundice. These findings are not unique to liver cancer; gallstones, hepatitis, medicines and other liver or bile-duct problems can also cause them. Testing is needed to find the explanation.

New yellowing of the eyes or skin should be assessed by a clinician, particularly if it persists or comes with dark urine, pale stools, itching, abdominal swelling or weight loss. Record when the colour change began and list medicines, supplements and alcohol use accurately. Avoid starting herbal products marketed for liver cleansing until a clinician has checked their safety.

Seek urgent medical help for jaundice with confusion, extreme sleepiness, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fever, bleeding, or rapidly increasing swelling. Prompt care is also needed if you cannot keep fluids down or feel faint. A clinician may use blood tests and imaging to assess the liver, bile flow and other possible causes.

What could be causing the jaundice? Which liver and bile tests do I need? Could any medicine or supplement be contributing? What symptoms should prompt emergency care while I await results?