Stages of Liver Cancer: An Introduction
If a doctor makes a
liver cancer diagnosis, he or she then needs to know the stage of
liver cancer to plan treatment. Stages of liver cancer refer to extent of the disease. Staging is an attempt to find out the size of the tumor, whether the disease has spread, and, if so, to what parts of the body. Careful staging shows whether the tumor can be removed with surgery. This is important, because most liver cancers cannot be removed with surgery.
The doctor may determine the stage of liver cancer at the time of diagnosis, or the patient may need more tests.
Staging Tests for Liver Cancer
Imaging tests can help the doctor determine whether the liver cancer has spread. The doctor also may use a laparoscope to look directly at the liver and nearby organs. The following tests and procedures may be used to determine the stage of liver cancer:
- CT scan
- MRI
- Bone scan
- Ultrasound.
CT Scan
A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) is a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print