Liver Cancer Diagnosis
Learn More About Diagnosis of Liver Cancer: Chat with Us | Email Us
If your symptoms suggest liver cancer, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam to feel for any unusual lumps or changes in the abdominal region. Further testing may include blood tests, imaging tests or other procedures like a laparoscopy or biopsy.
- Lab tests - There are several blood tests that can help assess the function of the liver by measuring the level of certain proteins or waste products in the blood. For example, high levels of bilirubin may indicate a problem with the liver. However, the most common test measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood. This test may also be used to help stage the cancer, or used during treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
- Diagnostic imaging tests - Imaging tests help detect and pinpoint liver cancer. These are also valuable tools during the treatment process. The advanced diagnostic imaging tools utilized at Cancer Treatment Centers of America aid in delivering chemotherapy and radiation treatments to the tumor site. The tests that may be used to diagnose liver cancer include CT scans, MRI and ultrasound tests.
- Surgical procedures - Minimally invasive procedures may be used to confirm a liver cancer diagnosis. A laparoscopy is a method where a tube with a camera is inserted through small incision in the abdomen so the doctor can examine the inside of the liver. A tissue sample can be collected during this procedure or another method may be used to collect a biopsy sample.
Next Topic: Liver Cancer Detection Tools
