Diagnosis
There are several tests and procedures that your doctor can perform in order to properly diagnose HCC, to determine the extent of the disease and to determine liver function.
Physical exam
During a physical exam, your doctor can check for certain symptoms of liver cancer such as jaundice, swelling of the stomach, or physical changes to internal organs like the liver and spleen. Your doctor should also take a detailed medical history to determine any risk factors you may have.
Blood tests
Your doctor may want to measure the amount of alphafetoprotein (AFP) in your blood by performing an AFP blood test. A high AFP count may be an early indication of liver cancer. Your doctor may also want to perform a complete blood count (CBC), a procedure in which a sample of blood is checked for the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the amount of hemoglobin and check your liver function tests (LFTs) for signs of inflammation or jaundice. Coagulation tests will be performed to evaluate your liver function.
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Ultrasound
An ultrasound is a quick, easy, and painless method to test for liver masses. During this procedure, a transducer is placed directly on the skin of your abdomen. The transducer then bounces sound waves off of your internal organs in order to create echoes that form a picture. Not only can an ultrasound indicate the presence of a tumor, it can also show the tumor’s shape, size, and number of tumors.
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CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to produce an image of your body. A special dye may be injected into your veins and you may be asked to drink a special fluid in order to make the internal organs stand out. A CT scan reveals the presence of tumors and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
An MRI uses radio waves and magnets to produce detailed images of body parts. Radio waves are absorbed by the body and then released in a certain pattern which is translated by a computer in order to show “slices” of the body.
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Biopsy
A biopsy consists of removing a sample of tissue and then looking at it under a microscope to determine if the tissue is cancerous. The tissue sample may be obtained by inserting a thin needle using either most commonly ultrasound, or a CT scan to guide the needle.
