Diagnosis and Staging

Diagnosis. The diagnosis of primary and secondary liver tumors is often made with an ultrasound or CT scan. For patients with cirrhosis—chronic liver damage from either excess alcohol consumption or viral hepatitis—or a history of cancer, these imaging tools should be used routinely for screening to ensure early detection of the disease when it is easily treatable. In addition, patients with a history of colorectal cancer should have regular blood tests to monitor tumor markers (substances produced by the body when cancer grows).

Staging. Once the diagnosis of primary or secondary liver tumor is established, it is important that the stage (size and extent) of the cancer be clearly determined so our patients can benefit from the most effective treatment. Most often this begins with a biphasic CT scan, a recent technology, which allows our surgeons to view the tumor’s exact location and accurately predict whether or not it is removable. To establish if the cancer has spread outside of the liver, a PET scan may be performed. In cases where the tumor has spread outside of the liver, there is usually no curative therapy. However, when tumors are confined to the liver they can, at times, be treated surgically.

To schedule a routine screening, or to consult with our Multidisciplinary GI Clinic, simply ask your primary care physician for a referral or make a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).