Is hepatocellular disease a general term for liver damage?

Question

Hi doctor,

I received the following results from an ultrasound:

Diffusely increased echogenicity of the liver is consistent with chronic hepatocellular disease. The presence of focal sparing in the gallbladder fossa indicates that this is at least in part related to fatty infiltration. When I searched it online, hepatocellular cancer (HCC) always came up.

Is "hepatocellular disease" a general term for liver damage, or does this phrase typically point to carcinoma?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern.

Still, it is not confirmed that it is cancerous or not, so do not worry. Yeah, there are changes in liver tissue that can be suspected as liver cirrhosis or fatty liver disease. And to specifically say about it, your doctor will do a biopsy, most probably, to confirm the diagnosis.

In USG (ultrasonography), it shows that the liver's tissue has changed its color a bit.

So further testing is required. And the best one is the biopsy.

These are common in alcoholic people and less common in non-alcoholic people.

Can you please tell me, have you consumed alcohol in the past? If yes, then how much?
What symptoms do you have currently?
Since when have you had these symptoms?
Did anyone in your family have or have had liver disease?

Please answer so I can help you accordingly.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is good that you do not have symptoms related to the liver so far. Early diagnosis helps in treatment and prognosis as well. It looks like a fatty liver disease that is not in a severe state. It can be controlled.

So I would suggest you:

Do a further investigation, such as a liver function test and biopsy, and then treat it appropriately.
And please avoid alcohol.
And consume less fast food, less oily food, eat more salads and drink juice.

All these things will keep you healthy. If anything else, please let me know.

Thank you.