Fact 3: Decoding Tumor Size and Count
The tumor’s size and number are more than mere medical jargon; they’re significant signposts on the prognosis highway of HCC. Generally speaking, a single, smaller tumor often indicates a less advanced stage of the disease. In such scenarios, the potential to pursue curative treatments becomes more promising.
Initially, when discussing size, the smaller the tumor, the better. Small tumors are typically more manageable and easier to treat, primarily when they haven’t invaded surrounding tissues or metastasized. Treatment methods such as surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation become plausible choices, and these treatments can offer high success rates in early stages.
Next comes the count or number of tumors. A solitary tumor is often easier to address, but the presence of multiple tumors can sometimes complicate matters. Multiple tumors could indicate a more aggressive form of HCC or suggest that the liver’s overall health is conducive to cancer development. (3)
