title: Advances in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Imaging is important for establishing a diagnosis of HCC and early diagnosis is imperative as several potentially curative treatments are available when HCC is small. Hepatocarcinogenesis occurs in a stepwise manner on a background of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis wherein multiple genes are altered resulting in a range of cirrhosis-associated nodules. This progression is related to increased cellularity, neovascularity and size of the nodule. An understanding of the stepwise progression may aid in early diagnosis. Dynamic and multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging still form the cornerstone in the diagnosis of HCC. An overview of the current diagnostic standards of HCC in accordance to the more common practicing guidelines and their differences will be reviewed. Ancillary features contribute to diagnostic confidence and has been incorporated into the more recent Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System. The use of hepatocyte-specific contrast agents is increasing and gradually changing the standard of diagnosis of HCC; the most significant benefit being the lack of uptake in the hepatocyte phase in the earlier stages of HCC progression. An outline of supplementary techniques in the imaging of HCC will also be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Tiffany Hennedige, Department of Oncologic Imaging, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hennedige
authors.affiliation: Tiffany Hennedige, Department of Oncologic Imaging, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore.
authors.forename: Sudhakar K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Venkatesh
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000639:trends; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000639:trends; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Ancillary features; Cirrhosis; Computed tomography; Contrast agent; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Magnetic resonance imaging