I have been diagnosed with Compensated cirrhosis in 2022. Fibroscan at that time 17.1 KPa, Platelet 158 K. 2026, Fibroscan 14 and platelet 106K. B12 was extremely low so been given 6 top up injection.All LFT tests normal. Virus load undetectable. I am on entecavir. I read that lower platelet count is associated with portal hypertension which I am not sure if I have but there were no varices in 2022 endoscopy. Last US scan showed some 2x1.4x1.4 and I have been referred for Mri this week. Questions are what are the chances that it might be HCC and what is generally the first few choices of treatment based on experience should be.
Hi @Rahul, welcome to the community! Sorry to hear about everything you’re going through. I really can’t say how likely it is that your liver lesion could be cancerous. Have you had your alpha fetoprotein checked? That number will often go up really high if you have liver cancer, but it’s not super reliable. Definitely follow through with the MRI. If they’re still not sure what it is, the next step would normally be a biopsy. With a biopsy, they use a needle to take a small sample of liver tissue so that they can look at the cells under a microscope.
I had compensated cirrhosis of the liver in 2008 there is a lesion but it shows as hemangioma . It was monitored . My cirrhosis is due to over weight . I lose the weight , exercise and was able to reverse and get the liver Back to normal with fibroscan at 0-1, all my blood chem are normal . I exercise and my ALT is in the teens .then in 2022, I gained weight again and suddenly the ultrasound shows a small lesion . Subsequently the next ultrasound the lesion disappeared. Then when third time I had th ultrasound, the lesion appeared to be size close to 2.5 cm . Subsequently, I had an MRI and found to be at LIRAD 5, which turns out to be HCC. I had a liver resection ( all my Alfa feto protein tumor marker are negative and my ALT still in the teens ) . Overweight a pre diabetes is what my Hepatologist is suspicious . After 3 yrs of resection I am doing well but my Hepatologist wats me to lower my A1c to 5.6. My A1c was 6.2 I started taking Metformin . It’s now down to 6.0 . I either needs to raised my Metformin or monitor with continuous glucose sensors. You must reverse your cirrhosis by seriously exercising and loose weights . Don’t gain weight . That’s i believe cause my cirrhosis then subsequently HCC after 15 yrs . Am now by to MRI every 6 months after 3 yrs of liver resection
Yes, I agree with @et5656 that it is hard to tell from the information you’ve provided, as AFP can be normal in many instances of HCC (as mentioned by @Ccheng8346) . Please let us know how your MRI went and what the doctor says. Remember, you aren’t alone in this - you have this community and all the people in it.
Hi Thomas, This was the US report and I had MRI scan couple of weeks back and still waiting for the results. US Li RAD score;A1
Possible lesion noted in the caudate lobe. Was seen on previous images when
reviewed but was not seen at the time. NO obvious changes seen. This area
has not been formally characterised.