1. What are the risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma?
This cancer usually occurs in people who have chronic scarring of the liver, called
cirrhosis. Most commonly, this is caused by
chronic infection from one of two
viruses:
hepatitis B and
hepatitis C. Alcohol abuse also increases the risk of developing cirrhosis. Some inherited diseases, especially a disorder called
hemochromatosis (in which the body absorbs too much iron), can cause cirrhosis and, in time, hepatocellular carcinoma.
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2. If my AFP is normal/abnormal, do I need other tests?
If you have chronic liver infection or damage, a high AFP could be due to the disease itself. If your AFP suddenly rises, or if it is very elevated, your doctor will usually ask for a study to look at your liver, such as an ultrasound exam, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. These scans can usually spot liver cancers if they are present. Your doctor may also order a blood test for
des-gamma carboxy prothrombin (DCP) to help detect liver cancer.
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