Researchers have found a way to make early liver cancer show its true colors.
They have developed a test that will help pathologists clearly distinguish early liver cancer cells from nearly identical normal liver cells by giving them a distinctive red-brown hue.
The inability to definitively tell the difference often means the disease is detected late when treatment options are less effective, said Dr. Ravindra Kolhe, pathologist and Medical Director of the Georgia Esoteric, Molecular Labs, LLC, at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University.
"There is no definitive test for early diagnosis of liver cancer," said Kolhe, lead author of the study presented at the American Society of Clinical Pathology 2013 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Sept. 18-21. "Our test adds a level of comfort for making the diagnosis."
"The deadly liver cancer cells seek to recapitulate the appearance of normal liver cells," said Dr. Amyn M. Rojiani, Chairman of MCG's Department of Pathology. And they are very good at that, the pathologists agree, which is the frustration they have when trying to give patients definitive answers from looking at the tiny core biopsies of their liver under the microscope.
"As pathologists, we often find ourselves wanting to know more," said Dr. Andy Rahardja, a pathology resident who worked on the project. "Our test helps us differentiate between the two."
Unfortunately early liver cancer also is mostly silent. By the time it's large enough to cause classic symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss, the cancer cells look distinctive but the liver is failing. The myriad of treatment options - from removing the diseased portion of the liver to liver transplants to freezing or heating cancer cells - have a high chance of failing as well, Kolhe said.
