Hepatomegaly:

Enlargement of the LIVER. This may be caused by congestion

(e.g. in heart failure), infection (e.g. HEPATITIS), malignancy,
inflammation, or early CIRRHOSIS.
Cancer
The general term used to refer to a malignant
TUMOUR, irrespective of the tissue of origin.
Malignancy indicates that (i) the tumour is
capable of progressive growth, unrestrained by
the capsule of the parent organ, and/or (ii) that it is
capable of distant spread via lymphatics or the
bloodstream,
resulting
in
development
of
secondary
deposits
of
tumour
known
as
metastases. Microscopically, cancer cells appear
different from the equivalent normal cells in the
affected tissue. In particular they may show a
lesser degree of differentiation (i.e. they are
more primitive), features indicative of a faster
proliferative rate and disorganised alignment in
relationship to other cells or blood vessels. The
diagnosis of cancer usually depends upon the
observation of these microscopic features in
biopsies, i.e. tissue removed surgically for such
examination.
Computed tomography can distinguish soft tissues
from cysts or fat, but in general soft tissue masses
have similar appearances, so that distinguishing an
infammatory mass from a malignant process may

be impossible. The technique is particularly useful

in patients with suspected malignancy; it can also
defne
the
extent of the cancer by detecting enlarged lymph
nodes, indicating lymphatic spread. The main
indications for computed tomography of the body
are:
Mediastinal masses, suspected pulmonary
metastases, adrenal disease, pancreatic masses,
retroperitoneal lymph nodes, intra-abdominal
abscesses, orbital tumours and the staging of
cancer as a guide to effective treatment.