Tariq Parvez, Tariq Parvez, Abbas Ali Gumgumji, Mosleh Al Raddadi, Abdullah Al Rufai, Akbar Ali Sabir, Muhammad Imtiaz Ibraheim.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Available diagnostic tools and their limitations.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;14(1):57-60.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary tumor of the liver in adults. This article reviews the currently available diagnostic techniques for this tumor and their limitation. Absolute diagnosis of HCC depends on histopathologic evidence of disease in the liver. The sample for pathologic examination is usually obtained by means of percutaneous fine-needle aspiration or biopsy. Complications associated with these procedures, such as hemorrhage or needle-track seeding, are marginal. However, false-negative results may occur in 40% of cases with small tumors. The diagnostic process usually begins with a nodule detected by US followed by CT and or MRI, due to their high accuracy. Chest CT and bone scintigraphy are helpful in ruling out extrahepatic disease extension. This is a review article.

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