Diagnostic Tests for Liver cancer

Diagnostic Test list for Liver cancer:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Liver cancer includes:

• Physical exam
• Blood tests
• Liver function tests
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test
• CT scan
• Ultrasound
• MRI
• Angiogram
• Liver biopsy
  • Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
  • Core biopsy
  • Laparoscopy
  • Surgical biopsy

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Liver cancer causes:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests
• Liver Health & Hepatitis: Home Testing
  • Home Hepatitis Tests
  • Home Liver Tests
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease Tests
• Cancer-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Prostate Testing
  • Home Prostate PSA Antigen Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Testing
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Testing
  • Home Breast Cancer Testing
  • Home Breast Lump Detection Kits

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Liver cancer:

If a patient has symptoms that suggest liver cancer, the doctor performs one or more of the following procedures:

• Physical exam -- The doctor feels the abdomen to check the liver, spleen , and nearby organs for any lumps or changes in their shape or size. The doctor also checks for ascites , an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen. The doctor may examine the skin and eyes for signs of jaundice.

• Blood tests -- Many blood tests may be used to check for liver problems. One blood test detects alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). High AFP levels could be a sign of liver cancer. Other blood tests can show how well the liver is working.

• CT scan -- An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pictures of the liver and other organs and blood vessels in the abdomen. The patient may receive an injection of a special dye so the liver shows up clearly in the pictures. From the CT scan, the doctor may see tumors in the liver or elsewhere in the abdomen.

• Ultrasound test -- The ultrasound device uses sound waves that cannot be heard by humans. The sound waves produce a pattern of echoes as they bounce off internal organs. The echoes create a picture (sonogram ) of the liver and other organs in the abdomen. Tumors may produce echoes that are different from the echoes made by healthy tissues.

• MRI -- A powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

• Angiogram -- For an angiogram, the patient may be in the hospital and may have anesthesia . The doctor injects dye into an artery so that the blood vessels in the liver show up on an x-ray. The angiogram can reveal a tumor in the liver.

• Biopsy -- In some cases, the doctor may remove a sample of tissue. A pathologist uses a microscope to look for cancer cells in the tissue. The doctor may obtain tissue in several ways. One way is by inserting a thin needle into the liver to remove a small amount of tissue. This is called fine-needle aspiration . The doctor may use CT or ultrasound to guide the needle. Sometimes the doctor obtains a sample of tissue with a thick needle (core biopsy ) or by inserting a thin, lighted tube (laparoscope ) into a small incision in the abdomen. Another way is to remove tissue during an operation.

Conditions listing medical symptoms: Liver cancer:

The following list of conditions have 'Liver cancer' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Liver cancer or choose View All.

Conditions listing medical complications: Liver cancer:

The following list of medical conditions have 'Liver cancer' or similar listed as a medical complication in our database.

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