What tests are needed for liver masses

If there is a lump in the liver, it means there may be a tumor in the liver. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign liver tumors are more common than liver cysts. Usually when there is a symptom like liver mass, it is mostly caused by malignant tumors, the most common of which are liver cancer and lymphoma. Therefore, when a liver mass is found, a detailed examination must be performed to identify the cause and provide symptomatic treatment.

After suffering from a liver tumor, an imaging test should be done first to understand the severity of the disease, so that better treatment can be achieved without delaying the disease. Next, we will talk about the common examination methods for liver masses. Let’s learn about them together.

Common examination methods for liver masses

1. Ultrasound angiography: This is an ultrasound examination technology developed in recent years. After intravenous injection of contrast agent, ultrasound examination can show the blood supply of the tumor, thereby determining whether the tumor is benign or malignant.

2. Enhanced CT scan or enhanced MRI scan: Determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant by observing the blood supply of the tumor. The accuracy of the two in diagnosing liver cancer is similar, and the accuracy of diagnosing liver cancer larger than 2 cm can reach 90%.

3. Doctors can confirm the diagnosis of most liver cancers by combining the history of chronic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis, AFP levels, ultrasound examination, enhanced CT scan or enhanced MRI scan results. For a few cases that are difficult to diagnose, a puncture may be required to obtain a small amount of tumor tissue for pathological examination.

What to do if you have a liver mass

Liver space-occupying lesions (what we usually call a tumor in the liver) can be benign or malignant. Benign lesions include hemangioma, liver cyst, hepatic adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, etc. Malignant lesions such as primary liver cancer, secondary liver cancer, hepatoblastoma, hepatic leiomyosarcoma, and lymphoma. The incidence of liver cancer shows obvious differences in regional distribution. The incidence rate in the southeast coastal areas is higher than that in the inland areas. The areas with the highest incidence of liver cancer in my country are: Fusui in Guangxi, Qidong in Jiangsu, Shunde in Guangdong, and Tongan in Fujian. The peak age for liver cancer is between 40 and 60 years old. People in this age group should pay attention to regular check-ups, especially those with a history of hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Liver cancer patients are often accompanied by hepatitis and cirrhosis. When it comes to diet, we must consider both high nutrition and the patient's digestion and absorption functions. When the liver function is poor, the diet should be light and easy to digest. Do not eat too much high-fat food, because a high-fat diet will increase the burden on the liver, cause fatty liver, and delay the recovery of liver function.