What should you know about metastatic melanoma liver symptoms?

The liver can be affected when melanoma cells travel from the original tumour to a distant organ. Some people have no liver-specific symptoms, and a change may first appear on imaging or blood tests. Possible symptoms include discomfort or fullness under the right ribs, swelling of the abdomen, tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or general itching.

These features are not specific to melanoma. Medicines, infections, gallbladder problems, and other liver conditions can cause similar changes. A clinician may use examination, liver blood tests, ultrasound, CT, or MRI, and may recommend tissue sampling when the result would affect treatment.

Tell your melanoma team about new abdominal symptoms, appetite changes, itching, yellowing, or unusual tiredness. Keep a simple record of when symptoms began, whether they are worsening, and any changes in urine or stool colour. Bring all medicines and supplements to the appointment because some can affect liver tests.

Your team may discuss systemic treatment, a procedure for a selected area, or symptom-focused care. The choice depends on scan findings, liver function, other sites of melanoma, and your overall health.

Seek urgent care for new yellowing with confusion, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, a swollen painful abdomen, fainting, or difficulty breathing. Contact your oncology team promptly for rapidly worsening symptoms or inability to keep fluids down.

Ask whether symptoms or test results suggest liver involvement, which scans are needed, and how liver function will be followed. Ask which medicines or supplements to avoid and whom to call if jaundice, pain, or vomiting develops.