Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary cancer arising from liver cells, often in the setting of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.
Some people have no symptoms at first, while others develop weight loss, abdominal pain, swelling, jaundice, tiredness, or a general decline in wellbeing.
Imaging helps detect suspicious liver lesions, assess whether the tumor is confined to the liver, and determine which treatments may be possible.
Ultrasound, CT, and MRI are central to detection, characterization, staging, and treatment follow-up.
Management may include surgery, transplantation assessment, embolization, ablation, systemic therapy, or palliative care depending on stage and liver function.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
