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Liver Cancer Medical Tests &
Diagnosis
See Also:
Liver Cancer:
Overview
Liver Cancer: Types
Liver Cancer:
Stages
Liver
Cancer: Causes & Risk Factors
Liver Cancer: Signs
& Symptoms
Liver Cancer:
Medical Tests & Diagnosis
Liver
Cancer: Treatment Options
Medical Tests and Diagnosis
Liver cancer symptoms can be similar with other
medical disorders and only a doctor can establish a
correct diagnosis. The diagnosis procedure involves a
certain number of steps:
Anamnesis (detailed medical review of past
health state):
One of the first steps in establishing a liver cancer
diagnosis is a detailed and complex medical review of a
patient's past health problems and general health state,
family medical history, liver cancer risk factors, and
symptoms.
Physical examination:
During the physical examination, the doctor looks for
noticeable signs of lung cancer like jaundice (yellowing
of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an
accumulation of bile pigment -bilirubin- in the blood)
and ascentis (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
cavity). Also, the doctor will examine the abdominal
cavity looking for modifications (lumps, swellings) of
the internal organs like the liver, spleen, and adjacent
organs.
Blood tests
For patient that might suffer from liver cancer, there
are two main sets of blood tests performed. The first set
of blood tests, called a complete blood count, examines
the concentration of blood components like the red, white
blood cells and platelets . These tests are:
- Hematocrit: This test measures the volume
of red blood cells as a percent of the total
blood volume.
- Hemoglobin: This test measures the number
of grams of red blood cells in a sample of blood.
- Platelet Count: This test measures the
number of platelets and assesses the blood's
ability to clot.
- White Blood Count: This test measures the
number of white blood cells in a sample of blood.
The second set of blood tests, called the liver
function tests, examines the blood components closely
related to the liver. The purpose of this blood test is
to determine the overall health of the liver.
- CEA test: This test measures the level of
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood. CEA
is normally a protein produced by the fetus in
the first two trimesters of pregnancy, but it is
also present in high levels in patients that
suffer from digestive system, lung, and breast
carcinomas, or with liver metastases from colon
cancer.
- AFP test: This test measures the level of
alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood. AFP is
another substance which is normally produced by
the fetus and by a new-born baby in his/her first
9 and 12 months of life. High levels of AFP are
present in patients that suffer from
hepatocellular carcinoma.
Imaging techniques
Computed tomography (CT):
This imaging test is similar with an x-ray test,
and creates a detailed cross-sectional image of
the body.
A CT scan is usually performed in two steps for a
better diagnoses outcome:
1). First, the targeted area is scanned without a
contrast agent.
2). Second, the targeted area is scanned after a
contrast agent was administrated.
This is an effective test to reveal liver cancer
tumors.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI): This imaging technique uses radio
waves and strong magnets to reveal a complete
image of the liver. The energy from the radio
waves is absorbed by the tissues and then
revealed into a recognizable pattern on a special
monitor.
Chest X-ray: An x-ray test
uses high energy electromagnetic radiation to
penetrate the body and create the inside
image on a film. A chest x-ray can reveal tumors
of the liver, provides useful information on the
general health state of the liver, and determines
whether or not the cancer has spread to other
organs or if fluid has collected around the
lungs.
Angiography or CT-Angiogram: This
imaging technique is similar with a CT scan, and
is used to examine the blood vessels. This test
provides useful information on the number and
location of the liver tumors.
The liver receives blood from main veins: portal
veins (which carries high nutrient blood from the
spleen, pancreas, small and large intestine) and
hepatic artery (which carries blood rich in
oxygen from the heart). The normal, healthy liver
cells receive their blood supply from the portal
vein, while the tumor cells receive their blood
supply from the hepatic artery. During this test,
contrast agent is injected into the portal vein,
which is absorbed by the livers cells. The
healthy area of the liver will appear as a light
color tissue and the liver tumor will look black.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound
imaging is a medical technique that uses
high-frequency sound waves to create an interior
image of the body on a special computer screen.
This image is formed from the echoes of the sound
waves on the surface of the organs. Abnormal
tissue masses and organs reflect sound waves
differently. This test involves a device called a
transducer, that is placed on the upper part of
the abdomen, and a computer that translates this
sound into an image. Ultrasound imaging is a
safe, noninvasive and brief test that can detect
liver tumors.
Laparoscopy: This is a
surgical procedure used to examine the liver and
organs around the liver. This procedure uses a
thin tube, called a laparoscope, which is
inserted through a small incision into the
patient's chest cavity. During this procedure the
doctor can remove small samples of tissue for a
microscopic examination.
Liver Biopsy
This is one of the most effective diagnosis procedures
which confirms if the tumor or abnormal growth is a
malignant tissue or not. A biopsy is a medical procedure
where a sample of tissue is removed from the target area.
There are two ways to remove a tissue sample:
- Through a needle aspiration
- Through a laparoscopy

See Also:
Liver Cancer:
Overview
Liver Cancer: Types
Liver Cancer:
Stages
Liver
Cancer: Causes & Risk Factors
Liver Cancer: Signs
& Symptoms
Liver Cancer:
Medical Tests & Diagnosis
Liver
Cancer: Treatment Options
Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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