Tests and procedures used to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma include:
Blood tests to measure liver function
.
Imaging tests
, such as CT and MRI. Liver biopsy, in some cases, to remove a sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing.
Can liver cancer be detected by a blood test?
Tests and procedures used to diagnose liver cancer include: Blood tests.
Blood tests may reveal liver function abnormalities
. Imaging tests.
Can HCC be diagnosed without a biopsy?
If the nodule is larger than 2 cm at initial diagnosis and has the typical features of HCC on one dynamic imaging technique,
biopsy is not necessary for the diagnosis of HCC
. Alternatively, if the AFP is >200 ng/mL, biopsy is also not required.
Which marker is most commonly used for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP)
is the most widely used tumor marker in detecting patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and has been proven to have capability of prefiguring the prognosis.
What are lab findings for a patient with hepatocellular disease?
Laboratory findings associated with particular disease etiologies include the following:
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/hepatitis B core antibody
(anti-HBc), anti-HCV – Viral hepatitis (current/past) Increased iron saturation (> 50%) – Underlying hemochromatosis.
What is the life expectancy of a person with hepatocellular carcinoma?
Overall prognosis for survival is poor, with a
5-year relative survival rate of 18.4%
. By stage, the relative 5-year survival is 32.6% in patients diagnosed with localized disease, 10.8% with regional disease, and 2.4% with distant disease.
What are the stages of HCC?
| Stage Performance Status Tumor Stage | A4 0 3 tumors, < 3 cm | Stage B: Intermediate HCC 0 Large, multinodular | Stage C: Advanced HCC 1-2 Vascular invasion or extrahepatic spread | Stage D: End-Stage HCC 3-4 Any |
|---|
What is a CA 19-9 blood test?
Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is
a protein that exists on the surface of certain cancer cells
. CA 19-9 does not cause cancer; rather, it is shed by the tumor cells and can be detected by laboratory tests in blood and sometimes other body fluids. This test measures the level of CA19-9.
Which of the following is a good serologic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Forty years after its discovery,
serum AFP
remains a most useful tumor marker in screening HCC patients. The serum concentration of 20 ng/mL is the most commonly used cut-off value to differentiate HCC patients from healthy adults in clinical researches.
Do you need to fast for alpha-fetoprotein?
The alpha-fetoprotein serum test may be performed if someone is suspected of having liver cancer, certain testicular, or ovarian cancers. Preparation:
No fasting required.
Which is the best test for detecting liver dysfunction?
This test is used to measure the level of albumin (a protein in the blood) and may be useful in the diagnosis of liver disease. Low levels of albumin may indicate the liver is not functioning properly.
What are the complications of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Complications from HCC are those of hepatic failure;
death occurs from cachexia, variceal bleeding, or (rarely) tumor rupture and bleeding into the peritoneum
. Signs and symptoms of hepatic failure may signify tumor recurrence and/or progression.
What is the best test for liver disease?
An
ultrasound, CT scan and MRI
can show liver damage. Checking a tissue sample. Removing a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage.
Is hepatocellular carcinoma a death sentence?
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex disease and a major cause of death in high endemic areas of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
HCC has gone from being a universal death sentence to a cancer
that can be prevented, detected at an early stage and effectively treated.
Is hepatocellular carcinoma curable?
Most people who develop HCC have cirrhosis, which is a build-up of scar tissue due to years of liver damage. Since HCC usually grows slowly in its early stages,
it can often be cured if discovered early enough
.
Is hepatocellular carcinoma a terminal?
Among HCC patients, 15–20% present with end stage or terminal stage HCC. Their median survival is less than 3–4 months.
