When you have liver cancer surveillance, a structured medical process to detect liver cancer early in people at high risk. Also known as hepatocellular carcinoma screening, it’s not optional if you have cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or C, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This isn’t about waiting for symptoms—it’s about catching tumors before they grow large enough to cause harm. Most people don’t feel anything until the cancer is advanced. That’s why regular checks matter more than any symptom.
Cirrhosis, scarring of the liver from long-term damage is the biggest risk factor. About 80% of liver cancers develop in people with cirrhosis. That’s why doctors recommend ultrasound screening, a non-invasive imaging test that shows liver structure and detects abnormal growths every six months. It’s cheap, safe, and finds tumors early enough to treat. Alongside it, they check alpha-fetoprotein, a protein in the blood that can rise when liver cancer is present. It’s not perfect—some cancers don’t raise it, and some non-cancer conditions do—but together with ultrasound, it improves detection.
Many patients think if they feel fine, they don’t need tests. But liver cancer grows quietly. A tumor the size of a marble can be removed successfully. One the size of a baseball? Survival rates drop fast. That’s why sticking to the schedule is critical. Even if your liver function tests look normal, or your viral load is controlled, surveillance still applies. It’s not about how you feel—it’s about what’s happening under the surface.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real-world insights on how liver cancer surveillance fits into broader health management. You’ll see how it connects to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, why some people skip screenings despite knowing the risks, and how medication use, diet, and monitoring tools play into long-term liver health. These aren’t theoretical discussions—they’re based on what patients and doctors actually deal with every day.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer, often developing in people with cirrhosis. Regular ultrasound surveillance every 6 months can improve survival from under 20% to over 50%. Learn who needs screening, what tests are used, and the latest treatment options.