Diagnostic indicators of liver cancer

Basically, through the serum liver tests, imaging and histopathological examination to diagnose the three aspects: 

 First, serum tests: blood tests the diagnosis of liver cancer are the most simple and convenient methods. Among them, serum "A Fetal protein" (Alpha-fetoprotein, AFP) The most common, can be used as an important indicator of liver tests. A normal fetal protein has an upper limit value, as a general rule in many below 20ng/ml. If more than this ceiling, it is necessary to pay attention to whether there is any possibility of the occurrence of liver cancer. However, inflammation of the liver cell necrosis in the liver cell regeneration, during pregnancy and certain testicular tumor protein when AFP values are likely to go up. Therefore found a species of clinical fetoprotein values have increased, consideration should be given these circumstances. Therefore, if the blood found on the AFP to determine any unusual increase in liver cancer long are incorrect, it should be combined with imaging examinations before they can make accurate judgments. A fetal protein in the value of the normal does not mean that there is no liver cancer, in general, about 85 percent of large hepatocellular carcinoma A-fetoprotein values will rise, but the following three centimeters of small liver cancer, only about two-thirds of patients with AFP higher protein value. So, A normal-fetoprotein value and should not be completely ruled out and will not be the liver, the liver should still refer to abdominal ultrasound to be determined. 

 Second, imaging examination: liver imaging, including abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, angiography, and MRI. For the diagnosis of liver cancer is very valuable and can make up for inadequate serum test. 

 1. Ultrasound scan: ultrasound scan diagnosis of liver cancer in recent years are the most frequently used imaging tool, it is the biggest advantage of convenience and not invasive, the patient will not be painful. For intrahepatic tumors, even as small as 1 cm, as long as the physician or technician has enough experience, can be detected; Therefore, ultrasound scan screening for liver cancer has become the main tool. Ultrasound can detect liver cancer, apart from size, location, but also can assess whether the liver cancer has invaded blood vessels or bile duct of the phenomenon, in addition to assessing whether patients have cirrhosis of the phenomenon, whether there is ascites, the understanding of the situation for liver cancer patients in the choice of treatment modalities with a very important reference value. However, the accuracy of ultrasound scanning and inspection of those who have considerable experience in the relationship between technology, sometimes a simple ultrasound scan can not correctly distinguish the nature of Cancer, they are often still required further examination to be determined. 

 2. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging: CT or MRI to check for the nature of liver tumors can provide further information. Sometimes the patient's A-fetoprotein value continues to rise, but in the ultrasound scan can not find suspicious lesions, if still a high degree of clinical suspicion Cancer has existed, often required the use of CT or MRI to look for the possibility of liver cancer, especially in the ultrasound scan of the corner location. In addition sometimes liver cancer are invasive, and not obvious mass at the ultrasound scan is not easy and cirrhosis distinction, at this time necessary to rely on other imaging to be determined. CT or MRI scan can also check other than the liver or intra-abdominal intra-abdominal lymph nodes of the great vessels whether liver cancer has been violated, this treatment option for liver cancer have a significant impact. 

 3. Angiography: because with invasive angiography, usually in the final inspection, the patient to accept the inspection process a bit complicated, but if you encounter the following situation, or required by angiography to determine: 

 (1) A fetal protein value continued to rise, but other items can not be found when the liver. 

 (2) ultrasound, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans have no way to determine the characteristics of liver tumors. 

 (3) by angiography to determine the number of liver tumors, because the number of tumors often affect the liver cancer therapy. 

 Third, histopathological examination: serum tests and imaging studies can only be treated as indirect evidence, still unable to see 100% to determine liver tumor is not liver cancer, liver cancer diagnosis should be the most direct way is the histopathological diagnosis, At this point it needs to be done to check liver tumor puncture, liver tumor puncture aim of the inspection is to obtain a definite diagnosis, in order to determine the treatment method. Occasionally will hear patients say that the liver tumor puncture condition deteriorated would definitely not make the liver tumor puncture 

 This is a wrong concept. Liver Cancer in general will not puncture to check the progress of tumor and treatment has adverse effects, often can help clinicians make the correct diagnosis and decide on the most appropriate treatment. Histopathological examination is to take patients directly suspicious liver tissue to be tested. Organizations in two ways: puncture or surgery. Puncture are used in ultrasound-guided fine needle directly piercing the patient's liver tumor biopsy taken. Surgery to be carried out after the cut section of liver tumor tissue. In general, the clinical use of percutaneous methods are often made organization, but the patients clinically to determine if surgery must accept, it is not necessarily required to puncture in the preoperative examination, you can track receive surgery to cut inspection organizations. If the blood test A value of abnormal fetal protein increased (greater than 400ng/ml), in conjunction with other imaging studies have also showed that liver cancer, we can consider direct treatment. However, if the clinical diagnosis have doubts, we must take into needle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. If patients have ascites, or abnormal clotting function due to the risk of bleeding has not suitable for on biopsy.