The liver plays a vital role in the body, performing functions like storing, metabolizing, and synthesizing substances, filtering blood, aiding digestion, and detoxifying. When liver cancer develops, healthy liver cells are destroyed, leading to a decline in liver function that significantly impacts a patient's health and quality of life.

Liver cancer is curable if detected early. Treatments include surgical tumor removal, liver transplant, radiofrequency ablation, or electromagnetic ablation. Regular health check-ups and doctor-prescribed liver cancer screenings are crucial for early detection. Screening methods may include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI.

Doctor Si consults a patient. Illustrative photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a common screening tool. Most liver cancer patients exhibit high blood AFP levels, typically above 7-10 ng/ml. While elevated AFP can signal liver cancer, it may also indicate chronic liver conditions like hepatitis or cirrhosis, or other cancers such as ovarian or testicular cancer. Doctors often combine AFP testing with ultrasound, CT, or MRI for a definitive diagnosis, depending on the patient's condition. Other tests, including AFP-L3 and DCP (PIVKA II), are also utilized for liver cancer screening.

Liver ultrasound is the most common imaging technique for screening. It can detect small tumors, about 0,5-1 cm, and identify conditions like cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Doctors often combine liver ultrasound with blood AFP level measurements for a comprehensive assessment.

CT and MRI scans offer detailed diagnosis. They classify tumors, assess their number, size, and characteristics, and evaluate potential vascular invasion or metastasis to other organs.

A tumor biopsy is not always necessary for liver cancer diagnosis. Doctors can determine if a tumor is benign or malignant using results from ultrasound, blood tests, CT, and MRI scans.

As a chronic hepatitis B patient, regular health check-ups every 3-6 months are vital for managing your condition and following your doctor's guidance. Other high-risk individuals, including those with chronic hepatitis C, alcohol addiction, cirrhosis, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, should also undergo regular screenings. These should occur at least once a year, or more frequently based on their condition, at hospitals equipped with oncology, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic departments.

Master and Doctor Nguyen Tien Si

Department of Internal Oncology

Oncology Center

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM