Nowadays, more and more people are paying attention to their health, and the phrase "turning pale at the mention of cancer" is no exaggeration. Therefore, annual physical examinations are essential, and liver function indicators are also very important in liver examinations. However, from the mouths of some liver cancer patients, we have heard questions like: "My liver function was clearly normal in my previous physical examination, so why did liver cancer still appear?" In fact, liver function tests cannot represent everything.

The reason this happens can be attributed to the liver being too "powerful," especially its compensatory capacity. Even if liver function is impaired, it has little impact on the body's metabolism and normal functioning. As a result, it is easily overlooked, and one may already be ill without feeling any discomfort. In hospitals, patients diagnosed with mid-to-late-stage liver cancer are common. Therefore, these three items must be taken seriously during examinations, checked promptly, and prevented before they become problematic.

1. Basic Liver Function Tests Are Essential

Liver function tests include multiple indicators such as total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase. These serve as an auxiliary method for diagnosing hepatobiliary diseases. Since they are an auxiliary method, they cannot be used as an absolute criterion for determining the risk of cancer. This means that when undergoing liver examinations, additional tests beyond liver function are necessary.

2. Alpha-fetoprotein

Elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels are relatively common in newborns, as it is a primary protein formed during early embryonic development and a normal component of fetal plasma. However, this condition typically does not persist for long, and levels usually return to normal within 2–3 months. In adults, alpha-fetoprotein levels become very low and are extremely difficult to detect. If there is a significant increase in alpha-fetoprotein levels during testing, it warrants attention. If the levels exceed 400 ng/ml and persist for a period of time, it may strongly indicate conditions such as liver cancer.

3. Imaging Examinations

Imaging examinations include ultrasound examination, CT examination, and selective celiac artery or hepatic artery angiography. Although ultrasound examination began to be applied in the 20th century, it holds an unshakable position in the medical field. Ultrasound can visualize the morphology of tumors. CT can examine the specific morphology of liver cancer, making growth patterns clearly visible.

In the examination of liver cancer, it is best to conduct the above three tests simultaneously. Of course, each person's physical condition is different, so it should be determined based on individual circumstances. Lastly, it is still important to remind everyone to remember to undergo regular check-ups and take preventive measures. During liver function tests, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Do not judge whether the liver is healthy or whether lesions have developed based solely on a single test.