“Do I likely have Primary Liver Cancer?”
My GP, in follow up, had blood drawn for a liver function test last week and the results showed the following:
Total Protein: 7.0 g/dL
Albumin: 4.6 g/dL
Total Bilirubin: < 0.2 mg/dL
Direct Bilirubin: < 0.2 mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): 117 Int_Unit/L (marked as near upper limit of normal range)
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): 48 Int_Unit/L (marked as above normal range)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): 25 Int_Unit/L
I have also had the following issues for a several years which have not been affiliated with a specific disease or condition:
-- Itchy Skin (red bumpy patches, ranging from 1-5cm in size, occurring on my arm pits, chest, stomach, and groin area)
-- Intermittent Ankle swelling
-- Chronic Fatigue
I have had the following symptoms for the past 6-12 months:
-- Acid/Bile Reflux (whilst sleeping, after consuming alcohol)
-- Tendency to bruise easily
I have had the following symptoms in the past month:
-- Vomiting Bile/Acid (after consuming alcohol, during the night)
-- Abnormally bleeding (IV duct removal whilst in hospital for my injury and 10 days later blood drawing for the liver function test led to much longer than normal bleeding from the puncture sites than I have experienced in the past; both the nurse removing the IV duct and the MA taking blood remarked that I was bleeding much longer than is usually the case; these were the first instances of blood drawing I have had for several years)
Ahead of my ultrasound, I wanted to receive an oncologist's opinion as to whether these symptoms, test results, and the recently identified lesion indicated likely Primary Liver Cancer?
Male | 38 years old
Complaint duration: 2 years
Medications: DULoxetine 60 mg oral (once a day), traZODone 50 mg oral (once a night), busPIRone 7.5 mg (once a day), Acetomenaphin 200 mg (twice a day)
Conditions: 21mm Liver Lesion, High ALT, ALP
1 Answer
You are a 38 year old male with a moderately complicated medical history. More recently you have fallen and experienced compression fractures at T1 and T10 and a rib fracture. A CT scan has revealed a contrasting lesion in your liver. You are concerned that it may represent a primary liver cancer. Your liver blood tests are basically normal with a slight elevation of a transaminase. Your history gives symptoms of vomiting following alcohol intake (which can also be a cause of the elevated transaminase).
My thoughts are that hemangiomas are very commonly found when diagnostic CT scans are performed. I agree with the recommendation for an ultrasound. Primary liver cancers are rare but can occur. If the ultrasound reveals a solid lesion the only possible diagnostic technique would be a liver biopsy to obtain tissue for a diagnosis. These are usually performed with little possibility of side effects including discomfort. The ultrasound and possible biopsy will have to be recommended by your GP.
I would recommend that you follow the advice of your GP.
It might also be good for your overall health if you decrease or stop alcohol intake particularly because it gives you side effects.
Good luck.
