Newly Diagnosed?
We Can Help Getting the correct diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment from the start is crucial 
|
|
|
A diagnosis of primary liver cancer is generally made with blood tests, diagnostic imaging, surgical biopsy or laparoscopy, or a combination of the above. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test and ultrasound imaging of the liver are also used to screen high-risk populations (including those with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections) for the disease. Since the risk of developing liver cancer is relatively low for healthy individuals, these tests are not used to screen the general population.
The blood test measures the level in the blood of a certain protein -- called AFP -- that is produced by the liver. Elevated levels of AFP may be an indication of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of primary liver cancer. If liver cancer is suspected, additional blood tests are conducted to measure liver function. These tests can help doctors determine the condition of the liver. Since successful treatment for liver cancer involves removing a substantial part of the healthy liver tissue in addition to the cancerous portions, other treatments might be used for people whose blood tests indicate the presence of coexisting conditions, such as cirrhosis.
Our team of radiologists specializes in hepatobiliary imaging. Planning surgical treatment or selecting other therapies for hepatobiliary tumors depends on high-quality diagnostic imaging of the tumors because this area of the body is complex and includes several organs and major blood vessels.
Noninvasive Diagnostic Imaging Techniques
Diagnostic imaging techniques have become more sophisticated and capable of revealing more important information about a tumor -- such as the exact size, density, and nature of a newly diagnosed tumor. These techniques can also be used to gauge how well a tumor is responding to treatment. A few of the more commonly used noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques are:
This takes pictures inside the body during three different phases of the blood flow through the liver, making the detection of cancer and interpretation of the scan easier. CT scans are useful for determining the extent of tumor growth within the gallbladder or bile duct. This technique can also be used to tell whether tumor cells have spread into the lymph nodes or other nearby parts of the body.
This can be used to determine if a tumor can be surgically removed. The scans show the extent of tumor growth within the liver and surrounding organs and reveals whether the tumor has invaded any blood vessels.
-
MRCP
(magnetic resonance cholangiopancreotography)
MRCP gives a detailed examination of the liver and surrounding organs. It is useful for determining the stage of a tumor.
This is useful for detecting the location and number of tumors, as well as tumor involvement with blood vessels (tumors situated close to blood vessels may be more difficult to remove). It can also be used to distinguish a cancerous mass from a benign tumor.
Invasive Diagnostic Techniques
A few of the more commonly used invasive diagnostic imaging techniques are:
A small amount of tissue is removed from a specific area of the body so the tissue sample can be examined more closely.
The interior lining of a body cavity, such as the esophagus, stomach, bile duct, or colon, is visually examined using a device called an endoscope.
This technique can be used to inspect the inside of the abdomen and remove tissue samples for a biopsy. A laparoscope -- a thin, lighted tube with a camera on its tip -- is passed through the abdominal wall by means of a small incision to inspect the inside of the abdomen and remove tissue samples. Surgical instruments can be used during laparoscopy.
Cholangiography is when a needle is inserted into the bile ducts within the liver. The ducts are injected with dye so the ducts can be seen more clearly.
