What happens if liver cancer is not treated?

A liver tumour can enlarge within the liver or extend into nearby blood vessels and tissues. It may also spread to other parts of the body. As healthy liver tissue is affected, the liver may have more difficulty processing substances, making proteins and regulating fluid. Possible effects include tiredness, poor appetite, persistent abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, nausea or jaundice. Cirrhosis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also affect liver function, so symptoms need proper assessment rather than assumptions.

The outlook and treatment choices depend on tumour size and location, liver function, overall health and whether disease has spread. Waiting can allow a tumour or liver impairment to progress, but a specialist can still discuss cancer-directed treatment and symptom support.

Arrange prompt review with a liver or oncology team. Bring imaging, blood-test results and a list of medicines, alcohol use and previous liver conditions. The team may discuss liver resection, tumour ablation or another approach based on the tumour and remaining liver function. Ask how hepatitis or cirrhosis should be managed alongside cancer care, and how symptoms such as itching, pain or swelling will be controlled.

Seek urgent help for sudden confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, rapidly increasing abdominal swelling, fainting, or deepening jaundice with marked weakness. These symptoms can signal bleeding, infection, fluid complications or a sudden decline in liver function and should not wait for a routine review.

Where is the tumour and how is liver function affected? Has it spread or involved blood vessels? What tests are needed now? Could resection or ablation be suitable? How will hepatitis or cirrhosis change treatment? Which changes in pain, swelling or jaundice should prompt an urgent call?