Can any diagnostic tests detect liver cancer in early stages?

Yes. Imaging. : The 2 biggest risk factors for primary liver cancer (hcc) are cirrhosis and viral hepatitis. Hcc is often detected by imaging studies performed periodically in patients with cirrhosis. These screening tests may include an ultrasound, ct scan or mri. A tumor marker (AFB) is also checked by drawing a blood sample. Early liver cancer can be cured with resection or, more often, liver transplant.

CT or MRI: Absolutely. Patients who are at high risk for liver cancer should undergo a ct scan or MRI every 6 months. High risk patients include those with cirrhosis, asians with hepatitis b who are over age 40, and sub-saharran africans with hep b over age 20. These tests allow patients to be diagnosed at the earliest stage, when the tumor is as small as 1cm in size.