When the liver is swollen due to disease—such as hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis, or liver cancer—you may begin to feel pain in various parts of your body, not just where the liver is located. The liver itself is found in the upper right part of your abdomen, just beneath the ribcage.
When it becomes enlarged or inflamed, the most common area where pain is felt is the upper right abdomen. This pain can range from a dull ache to sharp discomfort, especially when you move or press on that side.
However, because the liver is connected to many other parts of the body, you might also feel pain in your right shoulder or back, particularly under the shoulder blade.
This happens due to referred pain when the body interprets internal discomfort as coming from another area. The abdomen may also become bloated, causing a feeling of fullness or tightness.
In more serious cases, you might experience pain around the stomach, fatigue, nausea, and general body weakness. Some people also feel pain in the lower back or right flank, especially if the swelling puts pressure on surrounding organs.
If you notice these symptoms, especially alongside yellowing eyes or skin (jaundice), it’s important to seek medical attention.
