I have also had an mri of my liver. Very defined test results. It shows texture more than anything.
Hey Joanneh-can you see the finish line?
Biggyb said
Apr 10, 2013
Yea, that list has helped me many times.
Cinnamon Girl said
Apr 10, 2013
You beat me to it, Malcolm!
Cinnamon Girl said
Apr 10, 2013
Me too, Bob! AFP stands for `alpha fetoprotein` and it`s a tumour marker. High levels can indicate liver cancer (HCC).
Malcolm`s list of abbreviations can be found in the New Members Area, right at the top.
mallani said
Apr 10, 2013
Dear oh dear. All that trouble to do a list of Abbreviations (in New Members). Thanks, Bob. AFP is first on the list- AlphaFetoProtein, a tumour marker.
Biggyb said
Apr 10, 2013
When i don't know some of the abbreviations, I put "abbreviations" in the search box and it will take you to Malcolm's list of them.
Bouba said
Apr 10, 2013
Had the same question on AFP.
The first one that came up on Google was ...
Australian Federal Police ))
JoAnneh said
Apr 10, 2013
Thanks for info Malcolm! I will certainly discuss MRI with my doctor. What is AFP?
mallani said
Apr 10, 2013
Hi all,
This post was prompted by a discussion with a fellow patient while waiting for my doc to arrive. I knew her from cruising/sailing, and we had discussed HepC after finding we were the only non-drinkers at a beach party. She was about 60 yo, was F2 and was about to start triple Rx with Victrelis. She had just had a MRI scan (as her previous 'normal' ultrasound was 15 months ago), and the doc wanted more recent imaging before she started Rx. As she was chubby, he asked for a MRI. Unfortunately this found a 3 cm. mass in liver segment 2, and a 2 cm. mass in segment 6. Both looked highly likely to be HCC. She was going to discuss biopsy of the masses and treatment if necessary. Very sad.
Liver Ultrasound is an excellent exam for most patients, as it is cheap, quick, readily available, and you don't need an injection. The gallbladder, spleen and portal vein are well seen as well. It is limited by the skill of the Sonographer and the quality of the Ultrasound machine. Some patients are difficult, particularly the obese, those with high diaphragms, those with prominent lower ribs and those who cannot take (and hold) a deep breath. Some areas of the liver are difficult to image, particularly segment 2 of the L. liver lobe. There are also limitations in what can be detected eg. liver fibrosis can be difficult to see, even in cirrhotics. For these reasons, some Hepatologists prefer an MRI or even CT scan, prior to Rx.
For the SVR's, the usual protocol calls for 6 monthly imaging and AFP to check for HCC. This is mostly for the F3's or worse. Many patients don't chose to do this and fair enough, the risk is small. For those who do, consider asking for an MRI every second exam, or at least discuss it with your doctor. The chances of picking up a small HCC on MRI (with contrast) are much greater than on Ultrasound. Just my thoughts. Cheers.
I have also had an mri of my liver. Very defined test results. It shows texture more than anything.
Hey Joanneh-can you see the finish line?
Yea, that list has helped me many times.
You beat me to it, Malcolm!
Me too, Bob! AFP stands for `alpha fetoprotein` and it`s a tumour marker. High levels can indicate liver cancer (HCC).
Malcolm`s list of abbreviations can be found in the New Members Area, right at the top.
Dear oh dear. All that trouble to do a list of Abbreviations (in New Members). Thanks, Bob. AFP is first on the list- AlphaFetoProtein, a tumour marker.
When i don't know some of the abbreviations, I put "abbreviations" in the search box and it will take you to Malcolm's list of them.
Had the same question on AFP.
The first one that came up on Google was ...
Australian Federal Police
))
I will certainly discuss MRI with my doctor.
What is AFP?
Hi all,
This post was prompted by a discussion with a fellow patient while waiting for my doc to arrive. I knew her from cruising/sailing, and we had discussed HepC after finding we were the only non-drinkers at a beach party. She was about 60 yo, was F2 and was about to start triple Rx with Victrelis. She had just had a MRI scan (as her previous 'normal' ultrasound was 15 months ago), and the doc wanted more recent imaging before she started Rx. As she was chubby, he asked for a MRI. Unfortunately this found a 3 cm. mass in liver segment 2, and a 2 cm. mass in segment 6. Both looked highly likely to be HCC. She was going to discuss biopsy of the masses and treatment if necessary. Very sad.
Liver Ultrasound is an excellent exam for most patients, as it is cheap, quick, readily available, and you don't need an injection. The gallbladder, spleen and portal vein are well seen as well. It is limited by the skill of the Sonographer and the quality of the Ultrasound machine. Some patients are difficult, particularly the obese, those with high diaphragms, those with prominent lower ribs and those who cannot take (and hold) a deep breath. Some areas of the liver are difficult to image, particularly segment 2 of the L. liver lobe. There are also limitations in what can be detected eg. liver fibrosis can be difficult to see, even in cirrhotics. For these reasons, some Hepatologists prefer an MRI or even CT scan, prior to Rx.
For the SVR's, the usual protocol calls for 6 monthly imaging and AFP to check for HCC. This is mostly for the F3's or worse. Many patients don't chose to do this and fair enough, the risk is small. For those who do, consider asking for an MRI every second exam, or at least discuss it with your doctor. The chances of picking up a small HCC on MRI (with contrast) are much greater than on Ultrasound. Just my thoughts. Cheers.