Early signs of liver cancer?

Difficult: Many disorders predispose to liver cancer, e.g., cirrhosis, hep b and c infection, hemochromatosis, aflatoxin intake. However since liver cancer usually develops in a diseased liver, early signs of liver cancer are difficult to detect. A blood test for Alpha feto-protein may be helpful.

Not many: Hepatocellular cancer usually arises in the setting of cirrhosis, so these folks are (hopefully) watched by their md, otherwise rarely symptomatic until late. Cancer of the bike ducts may cause jaundice early on, but not always before it is also quite advanced. Metastatic cancer in the liver is not typically symptomatic. Pain may indicate a tumor, but again not usually, and often late.

Usually overshadowed: By underlying liver disease. Liver cancer often occurs in people with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, hemochromatosis, that mask the symptoms of cancer.