People with HCC may experience no symptoms, particularly when the tumor is detected early as part of a screening program. When symptoms do occur, they include:

• Pain, especially at the top right of the abdominal area or near the right shoulder blade, or in the back
  
   
• Weight loss
  
   
• A hard lump under the ribs on the right side of the body, indicating either the tumor itself or that the liver has increased in size
  
   
• Weakness or fatigue (tiredness)

At the time of diagnosis of HCC, some people will already know that they have cirrhosis and will already be under the care of a doctor. Some symptoms experienced by patients with HCC may be attributable to the associated cirrhosis rather than the tumor itself, and these include abdominal swelling due to ascites (fluid accumulation), or the individual may find that he or she needs increasing amounts of diuretics (water tablets) to control the abdominal fluid accumulation. Hepatic encephalopathy (mental confusion) and bleeding from the esophagus or stomach, or any worsening of the condition, may also indicate cancer.