Read article Follow up for liver cancer
This page tells you about check ups for primary liver cancer. There is information about
Follow up for liver cancer
After your treatment has finished, you will have regular check ups. Your doctor will examine you and ask how you are feeling. He or she will ask about any concerns you have, and check for signs of the cancer coming back. To begin with, you will see your doctors quite often. If all is well, your follow up appointments will gradually become less and less frequent.
If you have had hepatocellular liver cancer, you will probably have a blood test for the marker, AFP at every visit. At some visits, you may also have blood tests that measure how well your liver is doing (liver function tests). You may also have a CT scan, an ultrasound scan and X-rays. You will not have all these tests at every visit to your specialist.
If you are worried or notice any new symptoms between appointments, tell your doctor as soon as possible. You shouldn't wait until your next appointment.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. You may find it helpful to talk to someone. It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. To find out more about counselling, look in the ‘coping with cancer’ section of CancerHelp UK.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating liver cancer section.
As with many types of cancer, there is a possibility that your liver cancer could come back after your treatment. You may need to have some follow up blood tests or X-rays and scans. Your doctor will also want to know if you develop any problems after your treatment.
How often you have check ups depends on your condition and the treatment you have had. If you have had surgery to try to cure your liver cancer, you will go back to see your surgeon. If you have had just the area containing the tumour removed (liver resection), you will probably see your surgeon once a month for 3 months, and then every 3 months after that. If you have had a liver transplant, you will see your surgeon
- Weekly for 6 weeks
- Fortnightly until 3 months have gone by
- Monthly until 6 months have gone by
- Every 3 months after that
Of course this is an example and the follow up schedule will be worked out according to your particular needs.
At your check ups, your specialist will examine you and ask how you are feeling. He or she will also usually ask if there is anything worrying you. Your doctor will check for any signs of the cancer coming back. And about any side effects from your cancer treatment.
If you have had a hepatocellular liver cancer, you will probably have a blood test for the marker, AFP at every visit. You may also have the blood tests that measure how well your liver is working (liver function tests). Other investigations may include
You will not have all these tests at every visit to your specialist! Your specialist may only order scans if you have a new symptom or there is something specific that needs checking. After liver surgery it is usual to have a CT scan yearly.
If you are worried or notice any new symptoms between appointments, you must let your doctor know as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the next appointment.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. If you are feeling well and getting on with life, a hospital appointment can bring all the worry about your cancer back to you. You may find it helpful to talk with someone about how you are feeling. Some people don't feel comfortable talking about their cancer with a friend or family.Counsellors are available to talk with you. It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. To find out more about counselling, look in the CancerHelp UK coping with cancer section.
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