Hi, My father is 68 years old, he has been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, although liver biopsy showed cancerous cells, blood tests were negative for tumor markers. He has an enlarged liver with ascites, he has difficulty speaking. Lung tests were showed no signs of metastasis. My concern is he lives in East Africa, and they do not have liver specialists. Is it possible a misdiagnosis was made? What treatment do you advise at this stage?Winnie
Hi, Thanks for writing in. If liver biopsy showed cancer cells then you must take the slide and have it reviewed at a cancer hospital and confirm the diagnosis. It is not a must for hepatocellular carcinoma to involve the lungs. Ascites and enlarged liver with biopsy proven hepatocellular carcinoma should still be considered as the diagnosis. Liver tumor markers are not necessarily raised in every patient and serve as a prognostic variable. Treatment should first be towards curative with chemotherapy. It chemo embolization, radiofrequency ablation or SIR are available choices then please discuss at the cancer hospital close to you. Treatment depends on the size, location, number and aggressiveness of the cancer. Pain relief is also to be provided, and please give him good nutrition. Please do not worry.