Dr. Kathryn J. Fowler: When to Consider Biopsy – Radiologist’s Perspective
The diagnosis of liver cancer involves three aspects, including imaging, blood test results, and biopsy pathology results. Typically, the diagnosis of a tumor is confirmed only under a microscope after obtaining pathological tissue. However, liver cancer has its unique characteristics, and its diagnosis can be based on cirrhosis and confirmed through imaging tests such as computer tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging. At the recently concluded 13th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Conference (APPLE 2023), Dr. Kathryn J. Fowler from the University of California, San Diego, shared insights from the perspective of a radiologist on the effectiveness and reliability of liver cancer imaging in clinical diagnosis, as well as the positive role of imaging in the classification and prognosis prediction of liver cancer patients. Hepatology Digest had the privilege of conducting an in-depth interview with Dr. Fowler at the conference, and we have compiled the content for our readers.