Hepatotoxicity (Liver Damage)

What is Hepatotoxicity?

Hepatotoxicity is liver damage. It can be caused by medications, treatments, chemicals, or cancer itself. The liver’s job is to remove toxins from your body. Some things related to cancer that can cause liver damage are:

• Some chemotherapy medications.
• Some immunotherapy medications.
• Radiation therapy near your liver.
• Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and veno-occlusive disease (VOD), which can develop after having a stem-cell transplant.

Hepatotoxicity is found through blood tests called liver function tests (LFTs). This blood test shows how well your liver is working. When found early, hepatotoxicity can often be treated.

How is hepatotoxicity treated?

Your treatment might be changed if you show signs of liver problems during treatment. Drinking alcohol can cause liver damage. If you are on cancer treatment, talk to your provider before drinking alcohol.

When should I call my provider?

Call your provider if you have:

• Belly pain.
• Changes to the color of your urine or stool.
• Fatigue.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).