Liver Cancer and Common Blood Test Indications

Blood tests are often used in the evaluation of liver cancer, although they may not always show clear abnormalities. The following are common blood test findings associated with liver cancer:

In most cases, standard blood tests may appear normal.
This means that a routine blood examination might not reveal any specific signs of liver cancer, making it difficult to detect the disease solely based on these results.

Liver cirrhosis-related liver cancer may show signs of hypersplenism.
Patients who have developed liver cancer during the decompensation phase of cirrhosis may exhibit reduced levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets due to an enlarged spleen.

Some patients experience elevated platelet counts due to hormonal changes.
In certain cases, liver tumors can produce substances that lead to increased platelet production, sometimes reaching 1–2 times the normal level. This condition is known as paraneoplastic syndrome.

An elevated white blood cell count may indicate infection.
If a person with liver cancer also has an infection, this may be reflected in higher-than-normal white blood cell levels in the blood test.

Blood loss from tumor rupture can cause a drop in red blood cells and hemoglobin.
In rare but serious cases where the tumor ruptures, internal bleeding may occur, leading to a noticeable decrease in red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels.