My friend has a lump on his belly button and his stomach looks bloated. He has also lost a lot of weight. The doctor told him that he could be having problems with his liver. He does not drink. Do you know what liver condition could be causing the bloating and loss of appetite?

L.W.

The symptoms you describe could stem from several causes. A lump on or "in" the belly button may actually be a small hernia protruding from the abdomen. It could also be due to an increase in abdominal pressure, often related to a build-up of fluid in the belly in liver disease. One of the less common causes of lumps near the belly button is enlargement of lymph nodes, which is usually a sign of cancer somewhere in the abdomen.

Like "lumps," bloating of the abdomen can be caused by a variety of factors. Causes may include gas in the colon or intestines, fluid in the abdomen, a mass in the abdomen (often because of cancer) or sometimes impacted stool in the colon.

It is important for patients with abdominal lumps or bloating to be evaluated by a doctor. Certainly, it is possible for end-stage liver disease (cirrhosis) to cause these problems, and weight loss can also occur in such patients. However, other types of diseases, such as cancer, can cause similar symptoms.

Your friend's doctor probably performed certain tests to evaluate his symptoms. These may have included blood tests that would give an indication of the function of the liver. Certain imaging tests can also provide information about the abdominal organs. The most commonly used exams include ultrasound and CT scans. If liver disease is suspected and if there is no obvious reason for your friend to have liver disease, then a biopsy of the liver may need to be done at some point. Your friend should follow up with his doctor to have the appropriate tests to determine the exact cause of his symptoms.