Diagnostic Challenges Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is now the fifth-most common cancer in the- world. HCC often more often in males than females (2, 4: 1). Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis remain the most important risk factor for the development of HCC of which viral hepatitis and excessive alcohol intake are the leading risk factors worldwide. Surveillance for HCC should have the goal of decreasing mortality and improving patient outcomes. Modalities available for HCC screening include both radiographic tests and serological markers. Although the standards are clear, we often see patients with advanced HCC in clinical practice, who cannot be offered any effective treatment. Some of the patients presenting with inconclusive and changeable test results, constitute a separate problem. In such cases the diagnostic process is typically long-term and delayed. In this paper we present a case report where the diagnosis could be concern for HCC.