How To Detect Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor in the digestive system, and early detection plays a critical role in effective treatment. Below are the commonly used diagnostic methods:

Recognizing Common Symptoms
Early signs of liver cancer may include nausea, mild upper abdominal pain, and bloating. As the disease progresses, patients may experience fever, jaundice, and anemia, which are systemic symptoms indicating advanced stages of the disease.

Physical Examination
During a physical exam, tenderness or rebound tenderness in the upper right or upper abdomen may be observed. In some cases, a hard mass can be felt in the liver area, which could indicate tumor growth.

Understanding Laboratory Tests
Many liver cancer patients have a history of hepatitis B or C. One key blood test involves measuring alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Elevated AFP is often associated with liver cancer, although it is not definitive on its own.

Utilizing Imaging Techniques
If AFP levels exceed 400 μg/L, doctors often recommend imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI to confirm the presence of a solid liver mass. These imaging methods can reveal characteristic signs of liver cancer.

Considering Other Conditions
It's important to note that AFP levels can also rise during pregnancy, in active liver diseases, or in germ cell tumors. Therefore, differential diagnosis is essential. In cases of mildly elevated AFP, regular monitoring combined with imaging results is necessary for accurate diagnosis.

Exploring Additional Biomarkers
Approximately 30% of liver cancer patients have normal AFP levels. In such cases, other markers like L3 fraction of AFP (AFP-L3) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) can be tested. Positive results from these tests can significantly aid in confirming liver cancer and ruling out other conditions.

By combining clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and advanced imaging techniques, liver cancer can be more accurately diagnosed, enabling timely and effective treatment.