DIAGNOSIS OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent complication of chronic l iver disease. The major causes of chronic liver diseases are hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, as well as chroni c alcohol misuse. The clinical presentations of HCC patients are unspe cific, with signs and symptoms of chronic liver disease. Early diagnos is of HCC in an asymptomatic and potentially curable stage is of highe st priority. The present strategy for the detection of early HCC in pa tients with chronic liver disease is 6-monthly determination of alpha- fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound study of the liver. If these are abno rmal, further diagnostic steps include computer tomography, magnetic r esonance tomography, lipiodol-angiography and histopathology. By this sequential diagnostic strategy it should be possible to identify HCC i n patients with chronic liver disease at an early and potentially cura ble stage.