Liver Function in Liver Cancer Patients: What You Need to Know

Liver function in patients with liver cancer can be either normal or abnormal, depending on the stage and progression of the disease. This means that a normal liver function test does not necessarily indicate a healthy liver. In medical practice, doctors often recommend a comprehensive evaluation that includes not only liver function tests but also imaging studies such as liver, gallbladder, and spleen ultrasound, along with blood tests like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hepatitis B screening.

It is possible for a patient to have normal liver function results even when serious conditions such as cirrhosis or liver cancer are present. For instance, some patients may have large tumors—classified as massive hepatocellular carcinoma (greater than 10 cm)—yet still show normal liver enzyme levels. This highlights the importance of not relying solely on liver function tests for diagnosis.

For individuals at high risk of liver cancer, such as those with chronic hepatitis B or C infections, regular and comprehensive screening is crucial. Patients with cirrhosis should undergo liver function tests, AFP tests, and abdominal ultrasounds approximately every three months. Those in the chronic hepatitis stage are generally advised to have check-ups every three to six months.

Early detection through consistent monitoring significantly improves the chances of effective treatment and better outcomes. Therefore, it is essential for high-risk individuals to follow a structured screening schedule and not assume that normal liver function equates to a healthy liver.