61. Hepatocellular carcinoma/hepatoma Flashcards
MC liver tumor
metastasis
MC primary liver malignant tumor in adults
Hepatocellular carcinoma ( hepatoma )
causes of hepatocellular carcinoma
- HBV (+/- cirrhosis)
- all causes of cirrhosis
- specific carcinogens ( eg. aflatoxin from aspergillus)
a complication og hepatocellular carcinoma ( may lead to…)
Hepatocellular carcinoma spreads …
- Budd CHiari syndrome
- hematogenously
hepatocellular carcinoma - diagnosis
- increased a- fetoprotein
- US or contract CT / MRI
- biopsy
hepatocellular carcinoma - symptoms/ findings
- jaundice
- tender hepatomegaly
- ascites
- polyethemia
- anorexia
paraneoplastic
erythropoietin
• What two viral diseases are associated with an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Hepatitis B and C
• Excessive exposure to what two substances is associated with an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Alcohol (alcoholic cirrhosis) and carcinogens such as aflatoxin
• A 47-y/o man’s friend is diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. The man asks what factors might increase his risk for this disease.
Hepatitis B and C, Wilson disease, hemochromatosis, α1-antitrypsin deficiency, alcoholic cirrhosis, carcinogens (e.g., aflatoxins)
• A 52-y/o man comes in with RUQ abdominal pain and is convinced that this could be liver cancer. What signs/symptoms could you check for?
Jaundice, tender hepatomegaly, ascites, polycythemia, anorexia
• A doctor suspects hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient. She orders what lab, expecting it to be elevated?
α-fetoprotein, because it is elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma
• How might a hepatocellular carcinoma predispose a patient to Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Via polycythemia (a hypercoagulable state leading to thrombosis in the hepatic vein) or by direct compression of the hepatic vein
• A woman with hemochromatosis develops jaundice and ascites and is found to have elevated serum α-fetoprotein levels. What is the diagnosis?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
