How is liver cancer diagnosed? — Expert Video

Medical oncologist Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, discusses the steps and tests involved in diagnosing liver cancer. He explains that your doctor will talk with you about your medical history and do a physical examination. Additionally, you may have imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI, and additional blood tests. Your doctor may also want you to have liver function tests (LFTs). Liver cancer is one of the only cancers that can be diagnosed in high-risk patients using imaging (without biopsy) in some cases. If you are not having surgery, you may need a biopsy. Your doctor will take a small sample of tissue from the liver to look for cancer cells.

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This educational activity has been developed by Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association in collaboration with Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Eisai, Exelixis, Merck, and Genentech.

Thank you to the funders of You And Liver Cancer. All content is developed independently by Blue Faery and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., in collaboration with an Expert Faculty group; funders are allowed no influence on the content of You And Liver Cancer: An Animated Patient® Guide to Liver Cancer.

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