Cancer of the liver; needle biopsy as a means of detection

Needle biopsy of the liver was done in 25 patients suspected of having hepatic cancer. The results of biopsy were "positive" in 19 cases, and cancer later was proven to be absent in the livers of four of the other six. Multiple biopsy increased the incidence of positive findings. The procedure obviously provides no false-positive tests. It is recommended for the detection of hepatic neoplasm in patients who would otherwise require surgical exploration for diagnosis.