Liver cancer involves malignant tumors that develop in the liver, destroying cells and impeding the organ's normal function. The disease has a high incidence and mortality rate, often detected in advanced stages, leading to a low prognosis.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Tien Sy, from the Oncology Department at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that screening helps patients detect liver cancer early, increasing chances of recovery and improving quality of life. Individuals over 50 years old should undergo regular liver cancer screening once every six months. Those belonging to high-risk groups also require periodic liver health check-ups.

Hepatitis virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most common risk factors for liver cancer. The disease progresses silently, causing liver damage. Therefore, patients with hepatitis B or C, or those with parents or siblings who have cirrhosis or liver cancer, should undergo health check-ups and cancer screening as advised by a doctor.

Doctor Sy consults a patient. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

Regular alcohol consumption

Alcoholic beverages are a risk factor for liver cancer. Excessive alcohol intake can lead to chronic liver damage, which can develop into conditions such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and ultimately liver cancer.

Several methods for liver cancer screening include ultrasound, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) liver cancer marker tests, CT scans, and MRI scans. Doctors can use the results from ultrasound, blood tests, CT, and MRI to diagnose whether a liver tumor is benign or malignant.

Overweight and obesity

Excess fat promotes inflammation in the body, leading to fatty liver disease and metabolic syndromes such as type two diabetes, hypertension, and high blood lipids. If left uncontrolled, these conditions can progress to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis, where the body's immune system attacks and damages the liver, leading to complications like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, should undergo regular liver health check-ups. This is because chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis can progress to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Doctor Sy advises that depending on the patient's health condition, one or a combination of several liver cancer screening methods may be prescribed, such as ultrasound, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) liver cancer marker tests, CT scans, and MRI scans.

Nguyen Tram