Liver cancer, known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a serious disease that often goes unnoticed until it becomes very advanced.
It mostly affects people who already have liver problems.
Researchers at The University of Toledo have been studying different ways to find liver cancer early.
They believe they’ve found a better blood test to spot it early on. This new test could save lives by catching liver cancer sooner, when it’s easier to treat.
Why Early Detection Matters
Liver cancer is a growing problem worldwide. Each year, around 841,000 new cases are diagnosed, making it one of the most common cancers globally.
Even though it’s not as common in the United States, it’s one of the deadliest, causing many deaths every year.
The issue with liver cancer is that it doesn’t show many symptoms until it’s advanced. This means it’s often too late to treat effectively when doctors finally discover it.
That’s why finding it early is so important. If we can catch it early, we can do more to help patients.
The Current Blood Test: AFP
Doctors use a blood test called AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein) to check for liver cancer. They often combine it with an ultrasound scan for people at risk. AFP has been the go-to marker for years, but it’s not perfect.
Researchers at The University of Toledo have reviewed lots of studies to find a better way to spot liver cancer early. They focused on a different blood marker called PIVKA-II. This marker isn’t used as much because it’s more expensive.
What they found is exciting. PIVKA-II seems to be better at finding liver cancer in the early stages. It even outperformed AFP in many cases, showing fewer false results. This means it could be a more reliable way to catch liver cancer sooner.
What’s Next
While this is promising, more research is needed. The UToledo team believes PIVKA-II could be a game-changer for early liver cancer detection. If more studies support this, doctors might start using it more often.
In the end, spotting liver cancer early can make a huge difference. It could mean more successful treatments and more lives saved. So, keep an eye out for future developments in this area.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about Healthy liver, happy life: new advice for keeping your liver in top shape and findings of Ibuprofen may have significant impact on the liver.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research.
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