Cirrhosis cases

  Here is a recent case of a patient who worried me: On a Thursday afternoon before the end of 2014, I received an elderly gentleman who appeared to be in generally good condition at the Stoneman Road clinic, accompanied by his son. Because a physical examination six months ago revealed a slightly elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a thorough examination did not reveal any abnormalities, and the old man had no previous history of liver disease, so a follow-up visit was recommended.  The ultrasound was repeated six months later and revealed not only intrahepatic occupancy, but also ascites and changes in liver function. Then further MRI was performed: the occupancy was nearly 5 cm in size and the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was also >250 ng/ml, more than 30 times that of six months before. It could no longer be simply considered as ordinary cirrhotic disease at all. The patient was recommended to be hospitalized, but unfortunately, the old man was afraid of medical treatment, thinking that “cirrhosis” was not needed, and was not willing to be hospitalized ……, and did not come back to see …… I would like to know: old man. How are you doing? Do not delay the treatment, even if there is cirrhosis of the liver, it is not unrelated to liver cancer, after the best treatment time, not only more pain, and the results are worrying, really do not want to delay you.