What Is Liver Cancer? Liver cancer is defined as cancerous growth that is seen in liver. It is also known as hepatic cancer or hepatic malignancy. Hepatic cancers are increasing worldwide.
What Is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is defined as cancerous growth that is seen in liver. It is also known as hepatic cancer or hepatic malignancy. Hepatic cancers are increasing worldwide.
Liver malignancy can be classified as:
- Primary malignancy: Cancer that arise within the liver is known as primary malignancy of liver.
- Secondary malignancy: Cancer that spreads to the liver and has a distant origin is known as secondary malignancy of liver or metastasis.
What Are the Symptoms of Liver Cancer?
The symptoms or signs of liver cancer depend upon the type of liver carcinoma and may present as:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Loss of weight
- Jaundice
- Anemia
- Itching
- Abdominal mass/lump
- Hepatomegaly
- Sweating
- Back pain
- Weakness
- Easy bruising etc.
What Are the Uses of PET Scan in Liver Cancer?
Altered growth and metabolism is seen in cancerous cells. PET Scan is typically used for the assessment and evaluation of metabolic and biochemical properties of tissues or organ. Your health care provider may order a PET scan for the following indications in liver cancer:
- Cancer staging: PET scan may be used for staging of liver cancer.
- Detection of metastases: Secondary malignant growths at distant site from primary tumours is known as metastases. PET scan plays an important role in identification and localization of metastases.
- To monitor efficacy of treatment.
- To evaluate the prognosis of cancer patients.
- To check for Cancer recurrence post treatment.
How Do I Prepare for PET Scan in Liver Cancer?
Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:
- Get an appointment: Schedule your appointment in a Diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. This saves your time too by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
- Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required for PET scan.
- Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
- Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results.
- Clothing: Dress yourself in clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
- Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
- Allergy: Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfed your baby so that your doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
- Implants: Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
- Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
- Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test.
- Medical reports: Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition.
- Take a company: Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.
What Is the Procedure for PET Scan in Liver Cancer?
The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:
- Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
- You will be then asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
- You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
- An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
- You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radioactive agent gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
- If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
- You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
- If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
- Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching, rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease/pathology and to check your GFR.
- Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
- You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
- Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.
What Happens After PET Scan?
Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used.
You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.
Price of PET Scan for Liver Cancer in Delhi?
Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines they provide and the offers currently availing in them. PET scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.
PET scan test is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan.
To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.
Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:
- Whole Body PET Scan
Rs 23900- Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- FDG-PET Scan
Rs23900-Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- F-18 Choline PET Scan
Rs37000-Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
- Brain PET Scan
Rs23900- Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- Dopa Brain PET Scan
Rs37000- Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
- PET Viability Scan Cardiac
Rs27000-Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
- PSMA PET Scan For Prostate
Rs35000- Rs 17500 BOOK NOW
- Cardiac PET Scan
Rs27000-Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
Best diagnostic center for PET scan?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi.
We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including:
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.
Currently, we are offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan. We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.
We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR. We are also empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!
Hurry! Grab the best deals now!
We are also empanelled with different departments including:
- DAK
- CGHS NHA
- ECHS
- NDMC
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- RAILWAYS
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- BSES YAMUNA / RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- TATA POWER LTD
- BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
To know more details about our empanellment with different organisations. CLICK HERE
FAQs Related to Liver Cancer & Pet Scan
Time taken for PET scan in Liver cancer?
The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.
Also, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.
How much time taken for PET scan report?
You will get reports on the next day. However, you can get the image films on the same day if required by your doctor.
Risks/Side effects of PET scan in liver cancer?
PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radioactive agent is very low and it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can flush the radiotracer faster from your body.
However, some concerns about PET scan are as follows:
- Allergic reactions to radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
- Diabetic patients have low level of insulin (help in transport of glucose across cells). Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So, inform your doctor before test.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.
How is screening done for liver cancer?
cancer present. It is advised that patients with chronic liver disease or persons with high risk factors for hepatic cancer should undergo regular screening using ultrasound imaging every 6 months. Ultrasound helps in early screening and determine the need of further testing if reports are abnormal.
However, diagnostic tests are recommended when there is presence of signs or symptoms of hepatic cancer or if the screening test is found to be suspicious or abnormal.
How is liver cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis of hepatic or liver cancer is done using multiple tests that includes:
- Blood examination:
- CBC (Complete blood count)
- Tumor marker assay includes:
- AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein)
- CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen)
- CA 19-9 (Carbohydrate antigen 19-9)
- CA-125.
- Imaging tests:
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- CT scan
- PET scan.
- Other tests:
- Liver Biopsy.
- MRCP (Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography).
- ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
What are the types of Liver cancer?
There are several types of hepatic cancers depending upon the origin of cancer either from different structures of liver such as liver parenchyma, blood vessels or bile ducts or from other organs such as:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): It is the most common primary hepatic carcinoma (75%) that arises from hepatocytes.
- Angiosarcoma of Liver: It arises from the hepatic blood vessels. It is a rare and aggressive type of primary liver cancer.
- Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: It arises from the intrahepatic biliary tree and accounts for around 6% of primary hepatic cancers.
- Hepatoblastoma: It is a rare type of primary liver cancer that is formed by immature hepatocytes.
- Liver Metastasis: It is also known as secondary liver cancer. Hepatic metastasis is more common than primary liver cancers.
What are the risk factors for liver cancer?
There are several risk factors for the development of liver or hepatic cancer such as:
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Male sex
- Smoking
- Alcohol intake
- Intake of OCP >5years
- Liver flukes
- Radiation exposure.
- Diseases such as:
- Chronic liver diseases
- Diabetes
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Congenital hepatic fibrosis
- Caroli’s disease
- Choledochal cysts.
- Genetic disorders:
- Wilsons disease
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Hereditary hemochromatosis
- Glycogen storage diseases
- Tyrosinemia
- Porphyria cutanea tarda.
What are the causes of liver cancer?
There are numerous reasons behind liver cancer, out of which the leading causes of hepatic cancer are as following:
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Liver cirrhosis
- Alcoholism
- NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
- PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
- Aflatoxin
- Thorotrast
- Arsenic
- Liver flukes such as Clonorchis sinensis and opisthorchis viverrini infection
Which cancers metastasizes to liver?
Most cancers seen in the liver have a distant origin and have spread to the liver via blood or lymphatics producing liver metastasis. Cancers that frequently metastasizes to the liver includes:
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Carcinoid tumors
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Renal cancer.
What is the prognosis of hepatic cancer?
Prognosis of liver or hepatic cancer depends upon many variables such as:
- Stage of tumor
- Response to treatment
- Patient age
- Presence of Co-morbid conditions
- Metastasis.
5-year survival rate in case of localized liver cancer is 17% whereas 5-year survival rate in case of local metastasis to regional lymph nodes aur adjacent areas is 13%. In case of distant metastasis, the 5-year survival rate is 3%.