Like other types of cancer, early diagnosis of liver cancer offers patients the best chance of receiving a good prognosis. Accordingly, medical researchers are constantly striving to develop new tests and diagnostic methods to detect liver cancer before serious damage occurs.
Although effective, liver biopsies come with some inconveniences, which is why patients might prefer blood testing instead. While blood tests and other diagnostic tools are important for diagnosing liver cancer, biopsies remain the best way to confirm a diagnosis.
Liver biopsies involve taking tissue samples from the organ so they can be tested for cancer. Most biopsies are done on an outpatient basis, which means you can usually go home after the procedure.
Some liver biopsies use a needle to extract tissue. This needle is inserted into a small incision made at the bottom of your rib cage. Other biopsies involve the insertion of a catheter into the hepatic vein, which allows doctors to take tissue samples using small tools. Laparoscopic biopsies also use small tools to take samples, but patients are typically asleep while the procedure is performed.
Along with biopsies, doctors may perform the following lab tests to determine a liver cancer diagnosis:
Doctors also use imaging tests, such as ultrasounds, CTs, MRIs, and bone scans.
While diagnostic imaging and lab testing have come a long way when it comes to liver cancer, biopsies still play a crucial role in diagnosis. For instance, it is very common to have liver function tests followed up with a biopsy if abnormalities are detected. And while imaging tests can provide some indication of liver problems, they do not often provide the full picture.
By combining a multitude of tests, exams, and procedures, patients can rest assured of an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, diagnostic imaging and other tests help overcome some of the limitations of liver biopsies, such as sampling errors.