Liver cancer isn’t one for making a grand entrance, leaving many sufferers unaware of the condition until the later stages.
However, there are around 17 new cases of liver cancer every day, making symptom awareness front and centre.
According to Dr Romesh Angunawela, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and co-founder of OCL Vision, one warning sign could appear in your eyes.
The doctor said: “In the early stages of liver cancer, you won’t notice any symptoms in the eyes.
“However, as the disease progresses, the liver can begin to fail which leads to jaundice and yellowing of tissue including the skin and whites of the eyes.
“The white part of the eye can begin to take on a yellow hue and this increases with greater levels of jaundice.”
This sign is also highlighted in a case report, published in the journal The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, that looks at a woman with liver cancer.
The research team explains that jaundice is present in around 19 to 40 percent of patients with the deadly condition.
According to Dr Angunawela, this sign strikes once the liver starts failing and building up bile.
The doctor said: “The key function of the liver is to filter all of the blood in the body and break down substances such as alcohol, drugs and metabolic waste products.
“The liver also produces bile, a fluid that helps digest fats and carry away waste.
“Accumulation of bile in a failing liver increases levels of bilirubin in the blood and tissue leading to jaundice. This causes yellow pigmentation of tissues including skin and the whites of the eyes.”
Once you identify this warning sign, you should “consult your GP” and “express your concerns”, the expert recommended.
While jaundice isn’t a definitive sign of liver cancer, it’s important to get checked.
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