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What is HCC Blood Test?

Published in Liver Cancer Diagnostics 3 mins read

An HCC blood test is primarily used to check for signs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, often by measuring the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood. Elevated AFP levels may indicate the presence of HCC, but can also be elevated due to other liver conditions.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • Purpose: The main purpose of an HCC blood test, often focusing on AFP levels, is to screen for or monitor the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

  • What it Measures: The test measures the amount of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in your blood. AFP is a protein produced by the liver and yolk sac in a developing fetus. Normally, AFP levels are very low in healthy adults.

  • Why is it Done? Doctors order this test for several reasons:

    • Screening: In individuals at high risk for HCC (e.g., those with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis infections).
    • Diagnosis: To help diagnose HCC, although an elevated AFP alone is not definitive.
    • Monitoring Treatment: To monitor the effectiveness of HCC treatment. A decrease in AFP levels may indicate that the treatment is working.
    • Surveillance: To monitor for recurrence of HCC after treatment.

  • Interpreting Results:

    • Elevated AFP: Can suggest the presence of HCC, but can also be caused by:
      • Cirrhosis
      • Hepatitis (acute or chronic)
      • Pregnancy (AFP is normally elevated during pregnancy)
      • Other cancers (rarely)
    • Normal AFP: Does not rule out HCC. Some HCC tumors do not produce AFP.
    • Further Testing: If AFP is elevated, further testing is needed, such as imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan, MRI) and liver biopsy.

  • Limitations: It is important to note that AFP testing is not perfect. It has a limited sensitivity and specificity for detecting HCC. Meaning, it can miss some cases of HCC (false negative) and give false positives (elevated AFP when no HCC is present). Therefore, it's usually used in combination with other diagnostic methods.

In summary, an HCC blood test, often referring to AFP testing, is a tool used to screen for, diagnose, and monitor hepatocellular carcinoma, but it is not definitive and must be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical information and diagnostic tests.

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