Diagnosing liver cancer involves a combination of clinical evaluations, imaging tests, blood tests, and sometimes biopsy. Here’s an overview of the diagnostic process:
- Clinical Evaluation
- Medical History and Physical Examination: The doctor will assess symptoms, risk factors (such as hepatitis infection, cirrhosis, family history), and perform a physical exam to check for signs of liver abnormalities.
- Blood Tests
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These tests assess the overall health of the liver by measuring levels of liver enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin.
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP): Elevated levels of AFP, a protein produced by liver cells, can indicate liver cancer, though high AFP levels can also be seen in other liver diseases.
- Imaging Tests
- Ultrasound: Often the first imaging test done to detect liver tumors.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the liver and helps determine the size, shape, and location of tumors.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Offers detailed images of soft tissues, including liver lesions, using magnetic fields and radio waves.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: A nuclear medicine imaging procedure that uses a radioactive tracer to create 3D pictures of the inside of the body.
- Angiography: Involves injecting a contrast dye into the blood vessels to visualize the blood supply to liver tumors.
- Biopsy
- Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: A needle is inserted through the skin to take a small sample of liver tissue for examination under a microscope.
- Laparoscopic Biopsy: A small incision is made in the abdomen to insert a camera and instruments to take tissue samples.
- Liquid Biopsy: A blood test that detects cancer DNA fragments circulating in the blood.
- Staging and Further Testing
- Staging: Determining the extent of cancer spread using imaging tests, blood tests, and sometimes laparoscopy.
- Molecular and Genetic Testing: Analyzing the cancer cells for specific genetic mutations or markers to guide treatment.
