Living with Liver Cancer: Coping and Support Strategies

8. Abnormal bruising

A bruise is commonly formed, by a bleeding into the skin from surrounding damaged blood vessels. People living with Liver cancer are likely to bruise easily because of having low platelets count. Platelets function is to plug the tiny holes that form blood vessels and work to form blood clots, which helps stop bleeding in larger blood vessels. This is known as thrombocytopenia. Hematomas (bruises) cause a black and blue colored appearance to the skin, usually after being knocked or banged with force. If you bruise easily, then you may not have to do much for a bruise to form under the skin.