If you have liver cancer, the first step in any course of treatment is the physical exam that allows the doctor to get a sense of the size of the tumor and the stage of development it has reached. As the patient, preparing for that initial meeting is simply a matter of knowing what to expect and being ready with any questions you have about the process.
To start with, the doctor is likely to:
- Feel the abdomen to inspect not only the liver, but the other internal organs as well
- Check for an abnormal accumulation of fluids in the area
- Examine your skin and eyes for signs of jaundice
FURTHER TESTING
After the physical exam, your doctor is also likely to order blood tests and biopsies that will allow for the direct examination of the tumor’s cellular makeup. There are also likely to be imaging tests like MRIs, CTs and ultrasounds that allow the doctor to get an accurate image of the tumor.
When it comes to biopsies, there are a variety of different choices the doctor might make, including:
- Fine needle aspiration
- Core biopsy
- Laparoscopy
- Surgical biopsy
TREATMENT INFORMATION
When it comes to determining a patient’s course of treatment, the doctors take many factors into account. Among them are the size and spread of the tumor, as well as the speed of its growth. Other factors that could affect which treatment options are available for specific patients include other health conditions that might complicate the treatment. Your exact prognosis depends on too many factors to predict without a rigorous exam and individual treatment plan.
ANCHORAGE LIVER CANCER TREATMENT
Alaska CyberKnife Center prides itself on being a central resource and an Anchorage Cancer Center with experience treating all forms of liver cancer. When you have received a liver cancer diagnosis and you are wondering where to go next, contact us for information about consultation appointments.