Causes and Diagnoses
Causes and Diagnoses of Liver Cancer
The cause of liver cancer is unknown, but certain factors may increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Risk factors include:
- Hepatitis B or C
- Heavy alcohol use
- Diabetes (when combined with other risk factors)
- Obesity
- Certain chemical exposures
- Other diseases, including:
- Hereditary hemochromatosis
- Tyrosinemia
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
- Wilson disease
- Glycogen storage diseases
Diagnoses
Cancerous tumors in the liver can originate there or metastasize (spread) from other cancer sites in the body. Diagnostic tests to detect liver cancer may include:
- Liver function test (blood panel)
- Ultrasound
- CT scan or MRI to determine the extent of your disease
- Hepatic arteriography (an X-ray of the liver with contrast dye)
- Liver biopsy (the removal of a small tissue sample with a needle or during surgery)
Your physician may assess the stage of your cancer using the following methods:
- CT scan designed to specifically evaluate the liver
- PET/CT scan