Clinical features and diagnostic basis of hepatocellular carcinoma

  Patients with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cirrhosis are at high risk for liver cancer, and early symptoms are difficult to detect. Generally, chronic hepatitis patients over 40 years old are regularly monitored, and AFP (AFP) and abdominal ultrasound are checked every 2~3 months for early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment. Based on the trend of younger age of hepatocellular carcinoma, clinicians can determine the age of starting surveillance and the time interval of surveillance according to different individual conditions such as the length of patient’s hepatitis history, the rate of liver disease progression and the presence of family history of liver cancer.  Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, at least in Western countries, have coexisting cirrhosis in about 80% of patients. It is important to note that cirrhosis is not required for the development of hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, and 12% to 50% of patients do not develop cirrhosis.  Pregnancy, embryonal tumors of the reproductive system, active liver disease, and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma with palpable enlarged, hard, large nodular masses in the liver or imaging suggestive of an occupying lesion with tumor features are excluded.  Pregnancy, embryonic tumor of reproductive system, active liver disease and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, two imaging tests suggesting an occupying lesion with tumor features, or two positive hepatocellular carcinoma markers: Υ-glutamyl transpeptidase II (Υ-GTII), prothrombin (AP), etc., and one imaging test suggesting an occupying lesion with tumor features.