Differential Diagnosis between Decompensated Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Disease description:
My colleague's liver cirrhosis has reached the decompensated stage. We are worried it may be similar to liver cancer. What are the differences between decompensated liver cirrhosis and liver cancer?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
There is a distinction between decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer.
1. **Nature of the condition**: Decompensated cirrhosis is a middle-to-late stage of cirrhosis and is considered a benign lesion; liver cancer, however, is a malignant tumor of the liver and is classified as a malignant lesion.
2. **Causes**: Decompensated cirrhosis is usually caused by long-term, untreated hepatitis B virus infection; liver cancer may be associated with multiple factors, including genetic predisposition, untreated inflammation, and hormonal imbalances.
3. **Extent of damage**: Decompensated cirrhosis may not be completely curable and can lead to loss of liver function as the disease progresses; liver cancer, on the other hand, may be curable through surgical resection if treated early.
