The diagnosis
To diagnose metastatic melanoma to the liver, a variety of tests are used. These can include liver scans and blood tests.
Typically, however, the first step to diagnosing someone involves a physician asking the patient general questions about their health and how they've been feeling. At this point, the doctor is looking for signs that the patient may have any symptoms which might be due to metastatic melanoma to the liver.
Next, the doctor will often feel the patient's stomach. The purpose of this is to see if the liver is swollen or sore when touched.
Blood tests can help confirm a diagnosis. Measuring the amount of certain substances in the blood gives a clue as to how well the organ is working. Tests will usually look at the level of liver enzymes and a chemical called bilirubin in the blood .
The most conclusive test for the disease is an imaging scan of the liver itself. Ultrasound scans use sound waves to look inside the body and build up a picture of the organ. Other imaging tests for metastatic melanoma to the liver include CT and MRI scans. CT scans are like a special x-ray, while MRI uses magnetic waves to see inside the body. All of these scans are painless.
Other tests for metastatic melanoma to the liver include PET-CT scans. These are detailed scans which may be used if doctors are considering surgery as a possible treatment. Sometimes, a biopsy will be done to check if the melanoma has definitely spread to the liver. This involves taking a small sample of the organ’s tissue to be tested.
