what tests are used to diagnose liver cancer
1 Liver biopsy â a tiny sample of liver tissue is taken to evaluate the structure and cells of the liver; used to help diagnose a wide range of liver diseases. 2  Hepatitis tests [see Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C] â to detect viral hepatitis.  Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) â may be elevated with liver cancer.
In most cases, doctors use a 4-phase CT scan to diagnose liver cancer. If they canât confirm that there is a tumour in the liver based on imaging tests, doctors may do a liver biopsy. Core needle biopsy uses a large, hollow, cutting needle to remove a cylinder-shaped sample (core) from a tumour or abnormal mass.