Trudności diagnostyczne w wykrywaniu raka wÄ trobowokomórkowego

Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. There is an increase in cases and deaths due to HCC. Aim of this study is to highlight the need for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and screening tests for people from high risk groups and the difficulties associated with the diagnosis of cancer. HCC is developing mostly in patients with cirrhosis, regardless its etiology. Patients with risk factors for developing primary liver cancer should have screening tests based on ultrasound performed every 6 months. The diagnosis of HCC uses ultrasound, CT and MRI and histopathological examination, to which the material is obtained by biopsy or is postoperative. There are difficulties in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma because of no clear differentiation characteristics with cirrhotic changes in the liver, especially in the early stages of cancer. The basic methods in the detection of HCC are computer tomography imaging in the arterial phase, portal and balance venous, magnetic resonance imaging. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group guidelines allow the diagnosis of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis only on the basis of the results from dynamic CT or MR, without performing a biopsy. There are several staging systems of HCC, which are used to determine prognosis and appropriate therapy qualification. The most practical is the Barcelona Clinic Liver classification Cancer (BCLC). Early detection of primary liver cancer makes the treatment effective.