- Who is at risk for liver cancer?
- How do you screen for liver cancer?
- What happens if a lump is found in my liver?
- THSP: Toronto Hepatoma Screening Program
Ultrasound should be done every six months. Ultrasound as a test is tricky - your ultrasound should be done at a place that is good at liver ultrasounds. Ultrasound uses sound waves - like sonar - to get a look at the liver. Early cancers show up as small lumps in the liver. It is sometimes tricky to know if you have cancer since cirrhosis also causes small lumps in the liver. The lumps in cirrhosis are usually groups of liver cells trying to grow back. However, a new lump, a lump that is obviously larger than all the other lumps, or a lump that is growing in size is always worrisome for cancer.
AFP is a blood test that can go up with liver cancer. Unfortunately, it is not a very useful routine screening test - when you are looking for new cancer. AFP can go up to very high levels whenever hepatitis B is active. On the other hand, AFP can remain normal in many people with liver cancer.
AFP can be useful if you see a lump on ultrasound. If the AFP is also very high, then the lump is probably cancer. In this case, the AFP should come down if the cancer is treated successfully. Just remember - lumps might still be liver cancer even when the AFP is not high.