Liver Cancer Diagnosis
Liver cancer diagnosis includes different types of physical examinations and study patient's medical history to detect symptoms of liver cancer. Doctors can also perform some definitive test like blood tests, Ct scans, MRI scans, biopsies and angiogram. When a person is suspected for having symptoms of live cancer, that person's medical history and family medical history need to be studied to confirm the presence of live cancer.
Physical Examination for Live Cancer Diagnosis
Physical examination includes a person's body check for symptoms and signs of liver cancer. Doctors perform this examination to detect whether that person is suffering from lumps, loss of appetite, weakened immune system, lack of fluids in body and jaundice. The medical history of patient, health habits, medications and treatments used in past life are studied to confirm the presence of liver cancer.
Test for Diagnosing Liver Cancer
There are some imaging tests and blood tests that are mostly used diagnosing liver cancer. These tests are:
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
- Laparoscopy
- Angiogram
- Biopsy
- Blood tests
Blood Tests
Blood test are of different types as some of the tests are performed to check alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and some other tests can be used to check whether the liver functions are going properly. These blood tests are divided into two sets as per their purpose.
- 1. Complete Blood Count: These tests are performed to detect the concentration level of blood components such as platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. Following test come under this category:
Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in total blood in body. Hemoglobin test is used to detect the weight or grams of RBCs in sample blood. Platelet Count is done to detect the platelet level in blood that is necessary for blood clotting. White Blood Count is done to check WBC level in a blood sample.
2. Liver Function Tests: These tests are necessary to define whether the over all liver is fine and performing its functions properly. CEA test detects the carcinoembryonic antigen level in blood, and AFP test defines alpha-fetoprotein level in blood.
Imaging Techniques
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound techniques are used with the help of high-frequency sound waves to images of internal parts of body on computer screen. These waves create images when they return after bouncing on internal organs and liver. This process of creating images also need to be accomplished by using a transducer device, which is located outside the abdomen. Computer creates images of abnormal tissues and other organs by translating the signal of waves into image form.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: It provides several images of liver, blood vessels and internal organs of body. CT scan includes the use of special dye that needs to be injected to locate the cancer tissues in liver easily. Hence, doctors can easily find the size cancer and its affected area.
- Angiogram: Angiogram is used to take the images of blood vessels functions. These vessels play a vital role in supplying blood to the liver.
- Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy includes the use of laparoscope insertion into the abdomen to check the cancer affected area. It also uses some other instruments to take sample tissues from liver.
