Year 2008 / Volume 100 / Number 7
Puntos De Vista
Early diagnosis of primary liver cancer: imaging versus genetics

pp. 423-429

Forner, A. / Rodríguez de Lope, C. / Reig, M. / Rimola, J. / Varela, M.

Abstract
Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nodules smaller than 2 cm detected by screening ultrasounds becomes essential given that, at that stage, no vascular invasion is usually detected and treatment is associated with a high rate of long-term survival. Improvements in imaging techniques in the last few years have allowed a conclusive diagnosis of HCC in these small nodules without invasive procedures. However, a conclusive diagnosis of HCC by imaging is not always possible and, in more than half of cases, biopsy is needed. On the other hand, histological confirmation of HCC in such tiny nodules is very complex, and in most cases impossible because of the limited sample obtained. In addition, serum tumor markers currently available show low accuracy and are useless for early diagnosis. Progress in the knowledge of molecular mechanisms associated with malignant transformation will allow the use of new techniques that will facilitate diagnosis for HCC in very early stages.
Share Button
New comment
Comments
No comments for this article
Related articles
Citation tools
Forner, A. / Rodríguez de Lope, C. / Reig, M. / Rimola, J. / Varela, M.. Early diagnosis of primary liver cancer: imaging versus genetics. 423-429


Download to a citation manager

Download the citation for this article by clicking on one of the following citation managers:

Metrics
This article has received 15 visits.
This article has been downloaded 7 times.
Share
This article has been rated by 1 readers.
Reader rating:
Valora este artículo:




Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva
The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology is the official organ of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva
Cookie policy Privacy Policy Legal Notice © Copyright 2023 y Creative Commons. The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology