LIVER CANCER: CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING IN PRIMARY CARE

Abstract

Introduction: Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, has emerged as one of the most challenging neoplasms in terms of diagnosis and treatment, especially in recent decades. With its increasing global incidence, reflecting factors such as viral hepatitis infection and cirrhosis, early recognition becomes crucial. The role of primary care in this scenario is fundamental, as family health professionals are often the first to identify symptoms and signs that may indicate the presence of the disease. A proactive approach to clinical diagnosis and patient follow-up can significantly improve outcomes, promoting earlier interventions. Objective: To analyze relevant information on clinical diagnosis and follow-up of liver cancer in primary health care. Methodology: The PRISMA checklist was used to conduct the review, employing databases such as PubMed, Scielo, and Web of Science. Five main descriptors were selected: "liver cancer", "diagnosis", "primary care", "hepatocellular carcinoma", and "follow-up". The search focused on articles published in the last ten years. The inclusion criteria were: studies that addressed diagnosis and follow-up in primary care, peer-reviewed articles, and texts that included significant clinical data. Duplicate publications, studies that did not focus on the primary care context, and studies that addressed only surgical interventions were excluded. Results: The results indicated that early detection of liver cancer, often through imaging tests and biomarkers, was vital to improve patient survival. Training primary care professionals to recognize risk factors and symptoms was highlighted as essential. In addition, continuous follow-up of patients, using monitoring protocols, was considered fundamental for effective management of the disease. Conclusion: The research reaffirmed the importance of primary care in the diagnosis and follow-up of liver cancer, showing that an integrated approach can result in earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments, in addition to highlighting the need for continuous training of health professionals to improve the quality of care.