The localization diagnosis of liver cancer has taken a step forward

Since the 1970s, many advances in liver cancer research have started with the clinical application of alpha-fetoprotein. However, the diagnosis of liver cancer has not been completely solved so far and still needs to be explored.

This is because, on the one hand, patients with AFP-positive liver cancer still need to be differentiated from liver disease, liver metastasis, embryonal carcinoma, etc. On the other hand, AFP-negative liver cancer still accounts for 20-30% of clinical cases. In addition, the localization diagnosis of early liver cancer is still quite difficult.

Currently, the research on AFP is in-depth, among which the exploration of AFP variants has great value for clinical differential diagnosis.

Over the years, many scholars have been exploring liver cancer markers other than AFP, which is an urgent clinical requirement, and the literature in this area is increasing. Although no specific marker similar to AFP has been found so far, the prospect of this exploration is good.

In recent years, people have been watching the progress of B-mode ultrasound, CT and nuclear magnetic resonance. Although it cannot be said that the application of B-mode ultrasound and CT has solved the problem of localization diagnosis, it is a step forward compared to the past when there were only isotope liver scans or hepatic artery angiography. In particular, several localization diagnosis methods have their own advantages and disadvantages and value. Appropriate comprehensive application can greatly help the localization of liver cancer.