.jpg)
Liver cancer may be a daunting diagnosis. However, good news is that with early detection from the right tests and screenings, the prognosis can be improved for successful treatment. Whether you're high risk or simply want to know about the process, understanding how liver cancer is diagnosed is crucial.
Before any tests are done, doctors usually consider your symptoms and medical history. Some early signs of liver cancer include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, nausea, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). These symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but they raise concern—especially if you have risk factors like hepatitis B or C, fatty liver disease, or alcohol-related liver damage.
If a physician suspects liver cancer, they will order certain liver cancer tests to determine what's happening.
Imaging is one of the first things done to screen for liver cancer. These are special scans that enable physicians to look inside your body and detect any tumors, growths, or abnormal tissue in the liver.
Ultrasound for liver cancer is often the first test ordered. It is painless, quick, and does not involve radiation. A technician moves a small handheld device (called a transducer) over your abdomen. It uses sound waves to create images of your liver on a screen.
Ultrasound can detect masses or lumps in the liver. But it cannot always determine if a mass is cancerous. If an abnormality is detected, additional imaging is typically required
A CT scan for liver cancer offers a clearer image than an ultrasound. CT is short for Computed Tomography. It shoots a series of X-rays from multiple angles and merges them to produce cross-sectional images of the liver.
In some cases, a contrast dye is injected into a vein prior to the scan in order to highlight tumors. CT scans are able to reveal the size, shape, and location of a tumor. They can also determine whether cancer has reached nearby organs or blood vessels.
Another strong imaging test is MRI for liver cancer. MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It does not involve radiation, like CT does. It has magnetic fields and radio waves that make images of the liver in detail.
MRI is particularly good at differentiating between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors. MRI provides a more accurate image of soft tissues and is therefore valuable in diagnosing liver cancer when it is just starting to become a problem, or in correlating the information obtained from a CT scan.
Liver function tests are blood tests that monitor how well your liver is functioning. They assess the amount of enzymes, proteins, and chemicals in your blood that are associated with liver function.
If these levels are not normal, it can indicate liver disease or damage. Liver function tests do not diagnose cancer but can give physicians an indication of the liver's general health. This is useful when treatment is being planned and possibly if surgery or other treatments are being contemplated.
The alpha-fetoprotein test is one of the particular blood tests employed in diagnosing liver cancer. AFP is a protein found naturally in unborn children but is normally low in adults. Elevated levels of AFP in adults may indicate liver cancer.
But AFP is not always a sure indicator. Some individuals with liver cancer can have normal AFP, and some individuals without cancer can have elevated AFP. That's why it's typically paired with imaging tests for a proper diagnosis.
If blood work and imaging point towards a potential cancer, the physician can order a liver biopsy procedure. It is the most straightforward means of determining if a questionable spot on the liver is cancerous.
In a liver biopsy, a piece of liver tissue is taken and viewed under a microscope. There are a few methods to perform this, but the most common is a needle biopsy. A thin needle is passed through the skin and into the liver to obtain the sample. This is typically done with ultrasound or CT scan guidance.
The procedure is typically performed with local anesthesia and can be painful to a minor degree. Sedation can be used in a few cases. Once the sample is obtained, it is processed in a laboratory to search for cancer cells.
Although the liver biopsy itself is usually safe, it is not without risk. These risks include bleeding, infection, and pain at the biopsy site. In extremely rare instances, more severe complications can arise.
Physicians will only order a biopsy if the risks are less than the benefits. In certain cases, if imaging and AFP levels are highly suggestive of cancer, a biopsy might not be required prior to treatment.
Yes, in a few situations, liver cancer can be diagnosed without a biopsy. A biopsy isn't necessary if the imaging scans such as CT or MRI have very characteristic features of liver cancer, and if the individual has established risk factors (such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B).
This method avoids the risks associated with biopsy. But it is based on the quality of the imaging and other clinical findings.
Liver cancer screening is not for everyone, but it is extremely important for individuals who are at high risk. This includes those with:
For such high-risk populations, periodic screening with ultrasound and AFP tests every 6 months is usually suggested. This can identify cancer early when it is more curable.
When liver cancer is diagnosed, the second step is to stage the cancer. This allows doctors to know how far the cancer has spread and allows them to plan for treatment. Further scans might be performed in order to look for cancer in adjacent lymph nodes or other organs.
Physicians can utilize a combination of imaging, blood tests, and biopsies to collect all the necessary information. Depending on the results, they will suggest the most appropriate treatment, which can involve liver transplant, surgery, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
All liver cancer tests except for the liver biopsy are usually painless or only mildly uncomfortable. They are non-invasive tests like ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and blood tests. The liver biopsy is the only test that is potentially more uncomfortable but otherwise well tolerated under good medical attention and local anesthesia.
It depends on the test. The results of a blood test such as liver function or AFP typically come in one to two days. CT and MRI imaging tests typically take several days because the images have to be interpreted by radiologists.
The results of biopsies typically take longer, about a week, as tissue must be slowly inspected using a microscope by a pathologist.
Like with many medical conditions, no test is perfect. In rare cases, small tumors may be missed in early stages, especially if imaging quality is low or the tumor is hidden in a difficult-to-see area. That’s why combining different tests—such as ultrasound, AFP, and MRI—offers a better chance of detection.
If you are at risk and still have symptoms, it's crucial to follow up with your physician and have repeat tests if necessary.
If you have liver cancer symptoms or belong to a high-risk group, don't wait. Talk to a healthcare professional about your concerns. Early testing and liver cancer screening can be a lifesaver.
Remember, early diagnosis leads to better treatment options and improved survival rates. Regular checkups and being aware of your health can help catch liver cancer before it becomes advanced.
Liver cancer diagnosis is a multi-step process that collaborates to provide physicians with a clear image of what is going on in your body. From basic ultrasounds and blood work to more advanced scans such as CT and MRI, and even occasionally a liver biopsy, these tests identify cancer early and determine the best course of treatment.
If you or someone you care about is at risk, don't wait for symptoms to develop. Discuss regular screening with your doctor. With today's technology and close monitoring, liver cancer can be detected early—and early detection saves lives.
D
