Liver Cancer

Topics

• What is Liver Cancer?
• What Causes Liver Cancer?
• Symptoms of Liver Cancer
• How is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?
• What is the Treatment for Liver Cancer?
• Outlook for Patients with Liver Cancer
• Suggested Articles

How is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?

Individuals chronically infected with the hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus should be screened periodically for hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as those individuals with cirrhosis, since about 80 percent of people with hepatocellular carcinomas have cirrhosis.

A thorough examination by a physician along with the following tests will diagnose liver cancer.

• AFP test. Measures the blood level of a substance produced by some tumors called alpha-fetoprotein. Not all malignant tumors make AFP, however, and certain conditions, including pregnancy, viral hepatitis and some types of cancer can increase AFP levels.  
• Liver Panel (Hepatic Function Panel). A blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm to determine overall liver function.
• Ultrasound. Used in conjunction with the AFP test for those at high risk of developing liver cancer, this non-invasive, painless procedure uses sound waves to produce images of the liver to show the shape, texture and location of tumors and helps in distinguishing whether a mass is cancerous or benign.
• CT scan (computerized tomography). A painless, non-invasive test that uses a series of X-rays to produce high resolution images of the liver.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). A non-invasive, painless test that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed images of the liver and bile ducts. MRI does not use x-rays.
• Liver biopsy. A small piece of tissue is removed from the liver using a long thin needle and then studied under a microscope.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer What is the Treatment for Liver Cancer?