Differential Diagnosis of Liver Cancer, November 6, 1996

Differential Diagnosis of Liver Cancer, November 6, 1996

1. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level greater than 400 μg/L, measured by radioimmunoassay, sustained for four consecutive weeks, and excluding pregnancy, active liver disease, and germ cell-derived lesions of the reproductive glands.

2. The rise in AFP does not correlate proportionally with the rise in GPT.

3. Among intrahepatic tumors, the most important to differentiate is intrahepatic cavernous hemangioma. First, differentiation should be based on medical history, physical signs, and enzymatic tests; contrast-enhanced scanning is the most crucial method for distinguishing cavernous hemangiomas. If still uncertain, isotope nuclear testing should be performed; if radioactive isotopes cluster in the area of the occupying lesion, it carries significant diagnostic value.