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Some treatments for childhood cancer may damage the liver.
The liver is a triangular-shaped organ located under the rib cage on the right side of the body. It:
Many people with liver damage have no symptoms at all.
But some people may have:
The liver sometimes swells. As liver damage increases, it may become hard (fibrosis) and scarred (cirrhosis).
Fluid may build up in the abdomen. The spleen may enlarge. Bleeding could occur into the esophagus or stomach. In very rare cases, liver cancer may develop.
Ask your oncologist about your risks of developing late effects.
Inform your primary health care provider about your risks. Share a copy of your Survivorship Care Plan, which includes details about your cancer treatment and information about health problems that may occur because of your treatment.
Have a yearly physical examination. Your provider may check for liver enlargement and order tests to monitor liver health. If problems are identified, the provider may refer you to a liver specialist for evaluation and further testing.
Survivors may have tests for liver function when they enter long-term follow-up care through their pediatric cancer center.
Blood tests to monitor the liver include:
Those who have had a hematopoietic cell transplant (also called a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant) should have a test to check for iron overload.
Survivors can take steps to keep their liver healthy:
Reviewed: December 2019