Leukaemia and the liver: what to know

The liver helps process medicines, manage nutrients and filter substances from the blood. Leukaemia may cause liver enlargement or abnormal liver blood tests. These findings do not identify the leukaemia type by themselves, and liver symptoms can have causes unrelated to cancer.

Possible clues include discomfort or fullness under the right ribs, reduced appetite, nausea, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or darker urine. Some people have no liver symptoms, so clinicians may check blood counts and liver function even when the abdomen feels normal.

Tell the oncology team about abdominal discomfort, new itching, alcohol use, supplements, and every prescribed or non-prescribed medicine. The team may review blood counts and liver tests, examine the abdomen, and arrange imaging or a bone marrow biopsy to understand the disease pattern.

Treatment depends on the leukaemia subtype, test results and overall health. Options can include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, transfusion support or stem cell transplant. Do not stop a medicine or start a supplement because of a liver concern without discussing it with the treating team.

Contact the oncology service promptly for yellow skin or eyes, rapidly increasing abdominal swelling, persistent vomiting, confusion, unusual bleeding, or a high temperature during treatment. Seek emergency help for severe abdominal pain, fainting, trouble breathing, or bleeding that will not stop.

Ask which liver test is abnormal, whether the finding could be related to leukaemia or a medicine, whether imaging is needed, and what symptoms should trigger an urgent call. Ask how planned treatment will be monitored if liver tests change.