New Liver Cancer Diagnosis - What to Expect
This video explains liver cancer in three basic steps: diagnosis, staging, and treatment.
Read the full video transcript below:
In this video, we'll cover the three basic steps that anyone with a new diagnosis of liver cancer should understand: diagnosis, staging, and treatment.
The liver is a vital organ that helps with digestion, stores energy, and removes toxins from the blood. It is located on the right side of the body, just under the ribcage, and next to the stomach.
Liver cancer happens when cells in the liver start to grow out of control and form a tumor. This can cause the liver to stop working properly and, if not caught early, can spread to other parts of the body.
Liver cancer is often diagnosed through a combination of imaging studies and blood tests. If your doctor suspects liver cancer, they might start with an ultrasound or a CT scan, which provides detailed pictures of the liver. These imaging tests help to identify any unusual masses or growths. Blood tests can also be helpful, especially when measuring a substance called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is often elevated in patients with liver cancer. If these tests suggest cancer, a biopsy may be recommended. During a biopsy, a small piece of liver tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Once liver cancer is diagnosed, the next step is staging. Staging tells us how the cancer is, which is crucial for determining the most appropriate treatment plan. Liver cancer staging typically involves additional imaging tests such as an MRI or a PET scan. These tests help to determine whether the cancer is confined to the liver or if it has spread to other parts of the body like the lungs or bones. Sometimes, a laparoscopy, a small surgical procedure, may be done to look directly at the liver and nearby organs. The results of these tests help doctors classify liver cancer into different stages, ranging from early-stage, where the cancer is small and limited to the liver, to more advanced stages, where it has spread to other organs.
Treatment options for liver cancer depend largely on the stage of the disease. For early-stage liver cancer, surgery to remove the tumor or even part of the liver may be an option. In some cases, a liver transplant could be considered if the cancer is confined and meets specific criteria. Other treatments for early-stage cancer include ablation therapy, which uses heat or cold to destroy cancer cells, and embolization, a procedure that cuts off the blood supply to the tumor. For more advanced liver cancer, systemic treatments like targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be recommended. These treatments help to slow the growth of the cancer and can improve survival. Radiation therapy might also be an option in certain cases to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms.
This is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.