What it is
People with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B are often offered ultrasound scans every 6 months to find it early.
Treatment depends on the size of the cancer and how well the liver works, and may include surgery, ablation, a liver transplant, or medicines.
Common signs
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Losing weight without trying
- A swollen tummy
- Pain in the upper right tummy
- Tiredness
- Itchy skin
How it is usually diagnosed
- Ultrasound, CT or MRI scans
- Blood tests including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
- Biopsy, sometimes
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Surveillance ultrasound reports
- AFP results over time
- CT or MRI reports
- Hepatology and oncology letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- How often should I be scanned?
- What treatment options suit my liver function?
- Am I a candidate for a transplant?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Vomiting blood, black poo, sudden confusion or a rapidly swelling tummy: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.