Symptoms and diagnosis of liver cancer

The AFP blood test checks for high levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which can indicate the presence of liver cancer. It is not a perfect diagnostic method. Some people with early HCC may have normal levels of AFP, while others who have high levels of AFP do not have HCC.([FOOTNOTE=American Cancer Society. Liver Cancer. Updated April 28, 2016. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003114-pdf.pdf Accessed December 21, 2016.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])

CT delivers radiation (like an x-ray) to take a series of images of your body from different angles. The CT scan requires that you lie still on a flat table. During the scan, the table slides back and forth inside the doughnut-shaped opening of the scanner. When the CT scan is done, the doctor will biopsy the abnormal tissue to make a diagnosis.

MRI uses magnets and radio waves to make images of soft tissues wherein location makes them harder to detect by other methods. An MRI scan requires that you lie still in a tubular, enclosed space. If you have a pacemaker or other metallic implant, check beforehand if you can have an MRI and at what strength. Once the MRI scan is done, the doctor will biopsy the abnormal tissue to make a diagnosis.

Ultrasound produces sound waves to create images of soft tissues. It can help the doctor tell if an abnormal tissue is a tumor or a cyst filled with fluid. Ultrasound images are not as detailed as those produced by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The doctor can do an ultrasound exam quickly without exposing you to radiation. Once the exam is completed, the doctor will biopsy the abnormal tissue to make a diagnosis.