Ultrasound combined with a blood test led to a significantly improved cancer diagnostics

New form of diagnosis is very effective

More and more people are getting liver cancer today. It is very important to diagnose the disease early to ensure the survival of those affected. The combination of modern ultrasound imaging with a blood test leads to a significantly improved diagnosis of liver cancer.

The scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have found in their current research that a new form of diagnosis leads to better early detection of liver cancer. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Gastroenterology".

New method improves diagnosis by up to 40 percent

The combination of ultrasound imaging with a high alpha alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test improves early-stage liver cancer diagnosis by as much as 40 percent, say the physicians. Early detection of liver cancer is very important to improve the survival of those affected. "If the cancer is found early, we can perform curative therapies," explains study author Professor. G. Amit Singal. Unfortunately, liver cancer is usually discovered at late stages when curative treatment is no longer possible, the expert adds. This leads to a reduced probability of surviving the disease.

Liver cancer is on the rise

While the incidence of most cancers in the US is declining, the incidence of liver cancer has risen by 2.7 percent per year over the last decade. In the US, an estimated 40,700 new cases of liver cancer will be diagnosed in 2018, the doctors report.

What are the risk factors for liver cancer??

Risk factors for liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC, include, for example, hepatitis C infection, heavy chronic alcohol consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease related to diabetes and obesity. Symptoms of this form of cancer may include upper abdominal pain or swelling in this area, weight loss, loss of appetite and general fatigue.

Ultrasound alone does not recognize many types of cancer

Liver cancer screening in patients with chronic liver disease has traditionally been performed with an abdominal ultrasound. Although ultrasound is readily available and noninvasive, this form of examination does not recognize many cancers when they are still in their early stages, explains singal.

How does the new method for diagnosis work??

The study found that testing the blood biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) greatly improves the detection of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Combining both tests increased the likelihood of a successful diagnosis from 45 percent (on ultrasound) to 63 percent. AFP is a so-called plasma protein. In adults, AFP levels are usually low, but liver cancer can lead to an increase.

Diagnostic methods must be adapted

"Our findings underscore the importance of ongoing development and validation of blood-based biomarkers for the early detection of liver cancer. Most importantly, our findings support a shift in clinical practice and the routine use of ultrasound and biomarkers for liver cancer screening, "said study author Professor Dr. Singal in a press release from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. (As)