Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Question 1

Description: How common is hepatocellular carcinoma?

Answer 1

Commonest cause of liver cancer

Question 2

Aetiology/ Risk Factors: Hepatocellular carcinoma occurs

a) In association with (2
(b) In the background of (1)

Answer 2

(a) Hep B and Hep C

(b) Cirrhosis

Question 3

Pathology: Not in the lecture

Answer 3

Not in the lecture

Question 4

Symptoms: What is the presentation of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma? (4)

Answer 4

• RUQ abdominal pain
• Abdominal mass
• Weight loss
• Bleeding from tumour

Question 5

Signs: XXX

Answer 5

XXX

Question 6

Investigations: How do we diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma?

(a) Initial test (1)
(b) Radiological investigations (3)

Answer 6

(a) Tumour marker - AFP (alpha feto protein) is elevated

(b) Radiological investigations:
- Ultrasound
- CT
- MRI

Question 7

Treatment: How do we treat a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma?

Answer 7

• Hepatic resection
• Liver transplant
• TACE (chemotherapy)
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Sorafenib
• Hormonal therapy: Tamoxifen

Question 8

Complicaitons: Not in the lecture

Answer 8

Not in the lecture

Question 9

Extra: Are liver biopsies done for hepatocellular carcinoma?

Answer 9

They are rarely done