Hepatoma

Hepatoma is the most common primary malignancy of liver. It is most common in Africa and south-east Asia. Clinical features of hepatoma usually occur in patients with underlying cirrhosis, Friction rub and bruit over the liver, blood tinged ascites. Some metabolic disturbances include polycythemia, hypoglycaemia, hyper porphyria and hypocalcaemia. Intravascular invasion and growth into portal vein or inferior vena cava is a common feature. Main investigations are very high levels of serum alkaline phosphatise, ultrasonography, CT scan of abdomen, hepatic artery angiography shows ‘tumour blushes’ and liver aspiration. Management of hepatoma are surgical removal is done only if the tumour is confirmed to one lobe in the absence of cirrhosis.