About Liver Cancer
Liver Metastases
A metastasis starts when cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system and form a new tumor in other organs or tissues of the body.
Liver metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to the liver from where they first formed.
Liver metastases from bowel cancer
Together, the colon and rectum form the large intestine, also called the large bowel.
Blood from the bowel flows directly to the liver. This means the liver is a common place for bowel cancer to spread.
Colorectal cancer typically spreads to the liver before it spreads to other sites. Thus, treatment directed at the liver can be very valuable and make a huge difference for many patients.
Symptoms of liver metastases from bowel cancer
Often, liver metastases from bowel cancer, like in primary liver cancer, do not cause any symptoms for a long period of time. If symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Pain, especially at the top right of the abdominal area
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness or tiredness
- A hard lump under the ribs on the right side of the body
Liver Cancer - Symptoms and Signs. Cancer.Net. Accessed December 12, 2024