New tests help diagnose liver cancer early

Quang Thinh

With a simple blood test, Belgian scientists can detect liver cancer early. This new technique has accurately detected early stage cancer at a rate of more than 50% of all tests, while other methods have not been able to draw firm conclusions.

This study - in collaboration with research centers in Shanghai and Beijing - was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Chitty Chen, of the Flanders Biotechnology Institute and Ghent University in Belgium. The team hopes this new technique will contribute to earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis of liver cancer, the leading disease in Asia and Africa.

The team hopes this new technique will contribute to earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis of liver cancer, the leading disease in Asia and Africa.(Photo: tqnyc.org)

According to the new method, experts detect liver cancer at an early stage by monitoring and analyzing changes in sugar molecules linked to common proteins in cancer liver .

By examining the masses of two sugar groups specific to those proteins, doctors also determined the size of the tumor. The team said that the concentrations of these two sugar groups differ over each stage of the disease.

The facilities for diagnosing liver cancer today include biopsy, imaging and quantitative AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) assay - a type of test that detects malignant tumors based on specific substances, called cancer markers, in the blood.

But according to Dr. Chen, these tests are not as sensitive as their new techniques.

According to the research team, 'this new test has accurately detected early-stage liver cancer at a rate of more than 50% of all cancer cases, while previous diagnostic tests could not be given. a sure conclusion '.

This new technique also allows for routine and non-invasive analyzes of cirrhotic patients, helping doctors detect liver cancer earlier. In general, the level of accurate diagnosis makes this new technique 70%, which is equivalent to the rate achieved by AFP testing method which is widely used today.

Currently, the team is preparing to apply this new method in clinical trials.

The new method can detect liver cancer at an early stage with a simple test.( Photo: Fdle.state.fl.us)

Regarding the dangerous nature of liver cancer, Dr. Chen said: 'When liver cancer has just begun, there are no symptoms in patients. But when symptoms appear, such as impaired liver function, it is often too late to be effectively treated. '

Every year, liver cancer kills nearly 700,000 people, mainly in Africa and Asia, where the rate of hepatitis is high in the world.

According to Ms. Chen, when used in tandem with the AFP test, this method proved to be more accurate and likely to become a more effective tool for early detection of liver cancer, contributing to saving more lives. patient.

However, according to her, 'if we use a combination of both methods, it will significantly improve the effectiveness of testing and diagnosis of liver cancer'. She emphasized: 'It is best to use both methods simultaneously'.

Research by Dr. Chen and colleagues has been published in the journal Hepatology, of Elsevier Group (Netherlands).