Diagnosis of liver cancer

Timely diagnosis of liver cancer at an early stage of the pathological process increases the patient’s chances of survival by 30%.

Liver cancer is a malignant neoplasm that forms in the liver. It consists of degenerated liver cells or develops as a metastasis from another cancerous tumor. Every year, 500,000 people on the planet are diagnosed with this terrible disease.

The main diagnostic measures for this tumor are the following:

• ultrasound examination method;
• magnetic resonance imaging method;
• computed tomography method;
• puncture focal tissue biopsy;
• genetic tests;
• detection of tumor markers in the blood.

The most common diagnostic procedure is ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

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Ultrasound diagnostics of liver cancer

Ultrasound diagnostics of liver cancer rightfully takes the leading place among examinations when a malignant tumor is suspected. Ultrasound provides the opportunity to see not only the tumor as such, but also to examine its structure.

This type of diagnostics requires some preparation of the patient: the procedure should be performed on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning; in case of ultrasound examination during the day or in the evening, food is allowed to be taken no later than 10 hours before the procedure; if possible, try to refrain from taking medications before the examination. To improve the quality of the image, it is recommended to take several tablets of activated carbon or espumisan before the diagnostics, this will reduce the manifestations of flatulence. If the patient is obviously overweight, a cleansing enema should be done before the procedure.

The patient is asked to lie on his back: this position allows for a good view of the liver, its contours and characteristics. After this, the patient lies on his left side, and the procedure is repeated. It is also advisable to examine the patient in a vertical position, fixing his breathing at maximum inhalation.

We offer you for consideration the main ultrasound signs of a cancerous tumor:

• the liver lobes have a heterogeneous structure;
• ultrasound waves are attenuated in a certain area of the liver;
• increased parenchyma density is observed;
• the contours of the organ do not correspond to standard parameters;
• signs of hepatomegaly are present;
• the vascular pattern of the organ is disrupted;
• There are visible seals in the area of the portal vein branching.

This diagnostic method allows us to detect a malignant process at almost all stages of development.

Ultrasound diagnostics of liver cancer is extremely important for making the correct diagnosis, but the final verdict is made solely on the basis of the results of a biopsy followed by histological examination.