10. Gallbladder or Liver Enlargement
During a routine clinical examination, a healthcare provider may be able to feel an enlarged gallbladder or liver. If a tumor blocks the bile duct, the bile has nowhere to go and begins to back up, causing the gallbladder to stretch and grow larger than normal. While the patient might not be able to feel this themselves, a doctor can often detect a large, tender mass under the right side of the rib cage during palpation. Similarly, if the cancer has begun to spread to the liver, that organ may also become enlarged and bumpy, providing further evidence of a serious underlying condition.
