Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

High‑resolution imaging is the cornerstone of accurate diagnosis and staging for liver cancer. Modern scanners provide detailed anatomical and functional information, allowing clinicians to differentiate benign lesions from malignant tumors and to evaluate vascular invasion, a critical factor in staging.

Liv Hospital employs a comprehensive imaging protocol that may include one or more of the following modalities, selected based on individual patient factors and clinical suspicion:

• Ultrasound (US) – First‑line, real‑time assessment; useful for detecting focal lesions and guiding biopsies.
• Contrast‑enhanced computed tomography (CT) – Offers rapid, high‑resolution cross‑sectional images; essential for evaluating tumor size and extra‑hepatic spread.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with liver‑specific contrast agents – Provides superior soft‑tissue contrast; especially valuable for characterizing small lesions and vascular involvement.
• Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) – Utilized when metastasis is suspected; combines metabolic and anatomical data.
• Angiography – Reserved for pre‑operative planning or when trans‑arterial therapies are considered.

Each imaging study is interpreted by board‑certified radiologists with subspecialty expertise in hepatobiliary oncology, ensuring that subtle findings are not missed. The resulting radiology report feeds directly into the staging algorithm, influencing subsequent therapeutic decisions.