If you have symptoms that suggest liver cancer, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Doctor will perform one or more of the following tests:

• Physical examination – the doctors feels the abdomen to check the liver, spleen and nearby organs for any lumps or changes in their shape or size. The doctor also checks for ascites, an abnormal build up of fluid in the abdomen. The doctor may examine the skin and eyes for signs of jaundice

• Blood tests – Many blood tests may be used to check for liver problems. One blood test detects alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). High AFP levels could be sign of liver cancer. Other blood tests can show how well the liver working

• CT scan – An X-Ray machine linked to a computer takes series of detailed pictures of the liver and other organs and blood vessels in the abdomen. The patient may receive an injection of a special dye so the liver shows up clearly in the pictures. From the CT scan, the doctor may see tumor in the liver or elsewhere in the abdomen.

• Ultrasound – the ultrasound device uses sound waves that cannot be heard by humans. The sound waves produce a pattern of echoes as they bounce off internal organs. The echoes create picture (sonogram) of the liver and other organs in the abdomen. Tumor may produce echoes that are different from the echoes made by healthy or normal tissues.

• MRI – A powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

• Angiogram – The doctor injects dye into an artery so that the blood vessels in the liver show up on an X-Ray. The angiogram can reveal a tumor in the liver.

• Biopsy – usually biopsy is not needed to diagnose liver cancer, but in some cases the doctor may remove a sample of tissue. This is an effective diagnostic method which confirms whether the tumour is a malignant. A biopsy is a medical procedure where a sample of tissue is removed from the target area and then examined. There are two ways to remove a tissue sample:

1. 1. Through a needle aspiration.
   2. Through a laparoscopy.

Updated:: 15/03/2019 []