Canine Hepatocellular Carcinoma Glossary

Knowledge is a powerful tool in your dog’s cancer journey. This glossary explains terms you may encounter in reports or conversations with your veterinarian, helping you feel informed and confident as you manage your dog’s care.

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A

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

A liver enzyme released into the blood when hepatocytes (a type of liver cell) are damaged.Wigle

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP / ALKP)

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), also called ALKP, is an enzyme found in multiple tissues in dogs, including the liver, bone, intestine, kidney, and placenta. Serum ALP activity is commonly measured in canine biochemical testing and is frequently increased in hepatic disease, although it is not specific to a single disorder.Freeman and Rich; Center, Enzyme

C

Core Biopsy

A procedure in which a needle is used to remove a small piece of tissue for examination and diagnosis.NCI, Biopsy

Cytology

The examination of cells collected from tissues or body fluids to help investigate disease.Roman, Veterinary Medical Tests; Whitbread et al.

F

Fine‑Needle Aspiration (FNA)

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure in which a thin, hollow needle is inserted into a mass or organ to withdraw cells or fluid for cytologic examination.Whitbread et al. In dogs, cytologic evaluation of FNA samples is commonly used to diagnose lesions of the liver.Center, Liver Cytology

H

Hepatectomy

Surgical procedure in which part or all of the liver is removed, also called liver resection.Cleveland Clinic

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor arising from the hepatocytes (liver cells) of a dog’s liver and is the most common primary liver cancer in dogs.ACVS; Moyer et al. These tumors can present in three patterns: massive (a single large mass), nodular (multiple nodules), or diffuse (widespread infiltration throughout the liver).Center, Hepatic Neoplasia

Hepatocyte

Hepatocyte: A liver cell that makes up most of the liver’s tissue and performs key functions like metabolism and detoxification.Gong et al.; Center, Anatomy

Histopathology

The microscopic examination of tissue to study and diagnose disease by identifying structural changes in cells and tissues associated with pathological processes.NCI, Histopathology; RCP, Histopathology

L

Lobectomy

A surgical procedure in which a lobe of an organ, such as the liver, is removed.Gardiner and Pratschke

Liver Biopsy

A procedure in which liver tissue is collected and examined under a microscope to diagnose or assess liver disease. It is considered the gold standard for evaluating hepatic conditions.Center, Liver Biopsy; Mayo Clinic

M

Metastasis

The process by which cancer cells spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant tissues or organs, forming secondary tumor sites.Center, Hepatic Neoplasia; NCI, Metastasis

P

Palliative Care

Care focused on relieving pain, discomfort, and other symptoms of a serious illness to improve quality of life for patients and support their overall comfort without necessarily trying to cure the underlying disease.Cobbs et al.; NCI, Palliative Care

Prognosis

An assessment of the expected course and outcome of a disease based on diagnostic information and established clinical knowledge.Merck, Prognosis; NCI, Prognosis

U

Ultrasound

A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal organs and tissues.Manzi, Ultrasonography; Roman, Imaging

References

  1. American College of Veterinary Surgeons. “Liver Tumors.” ACVS, https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/liver-tumors/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025. [ACVS]
  2. Center, Sharon A. “Anatomy of the Hepatobiliary System in Small Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Joyce Carnevale, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Aug. 2023, modified Nov. 2024, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/liver-structure-and-function/anatomy-of-the-hepatobiliary-system-in-small-animals. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  3. Center, Sharon A. “Enzyme Activity in Hepatic Disease in Small Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Joyce Carnevale, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Aug. 2023, modified Nov. 2024, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/laboratory-analyses-and-imaging-in-hepatic-disease-in-small-animals/enzyme-activity-in-hepatic-disease-in-small-animals. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  4. Center, Sharon A. “Hepatic Neoplasia in Small Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Angel Abuelo, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Aug. 2023, modified Sept. 2024, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/hepatic-diseases-of-small-animals/hepatic-neoplasia-in-small-animals. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  5. Center, Sharon A. “Liver Biopsy in Small Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Joyce Carnevale, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Aug. 2023, modified Nov. 2024, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/laboratory-analyses-and-imaging-in-hepatic-disease-in-small-animals/liver-biopsy-in-small-animals. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  6. Center, Sharon A. “Liver Cytology in Small Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Joyce Carnevale, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Aug. 2023, modified Nov. 2024, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/laboratory-analyses-and-imaging-in-hepatic-disease-in-small-animals/liver-cytology-in-small-animals. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  7. Cleveland Clinic. "Hepatectomy (Liver Resection)." Cleveland Clinic, last reviewed 29 Apr. 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22930-hepatectomy-liver-resection. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025. [Cleveland Clinic]
  8. Cobbs, Elizabeth L., et al. “Hospice Care and Palliative Care.” Merck Manual, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised July 2024, modified Apr. 2025, https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/fundamentals/death-and-dying/hospice-care-and-palliative-care. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  9. Freeman, Kathy and Andrew Rich. "Blood Biochemistry: Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)." Vetlexicon, https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/gastrohepatology/articles/blood-biochemistry-alkaline-phosphatase-alp. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025. [Vetlexicon]
  10. Gardiner, Andrew, and Kathryn Pratschke. “Liver: Lobectomy.” Vetlexicon, https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/gastrohepatology/articles/liver-lobectomy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Vetlexicon]
  11. Gong, Jin, et al. “Hepatocytes: A key role in liver inflammation.” Frontiers in Immunology, vol. 13, 1083780, 18 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1083780. [PubMed]
  12. Manzi, Timothy. “Ultrasonography in Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Ashley G. Boyle, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Aug. 2024, modified Apr. 2025, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/clinical-pathology-and-procedures/diagnostic-imaging/ultrasonography-in-animals. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  13. Mayo Clinic. “Liver Biopsy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-biopsy/about/pac-20394576. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Mayo Clinic]
  14. Merck Veterinary Manual. “Prognosis.” Glossary, Merck & Co., Inc., https://www.merckvetmanual.com/resourcespages/glossary#P. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  15. Moyer, James, et al. “Factors associated with survival in dogs with a histopathological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: 94 cases (2007-2018).” Open Veterinary Journal, vol. 11, no. 1, 2021, pp. 144-153. https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v11i1.21. [PubMed]
  16. National Cancer Institute. “Biopsy.” NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/biopsy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [NCI]
  17. National Cancer Institute. “Histopathology.” NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/histopathology. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [NCI]
  18. National Cancer Institute. “Metastasis.” NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/metastasis. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [NCI]
  19. National Cancer Institute. “Palliative Care.” NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/palliative-care. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [NCI]
  20. National Cancer Institute. “Prognosis.” NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/prognosis. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [NCI]
  21. Roman, Nick. “Diagnostic Imaging.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Manuals Staff, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Dec. 2025, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/diagnostic-tests-and-imaging/diagnostic-imaging. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  22. Roman, Nick. “Veterinary Medical Tests.” Merck Veterinary Manual, reviewed by Manuals Staff, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised Dec. 2025, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/diagnostic-tests-and-imaging/veterinary-medical-tests. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  23. The Royal College of Pathologists. “Histopathology.” The Royal College of Pathologists, https://www.rcpath.org/discover-pathology/news/fact-sheets/histopathology.html. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025. [RCP]
  24. Whitbread, Trevor J. et al. “Cytology.” Merck Veterinary Manual, Merck & Co., Inc., reviewed/revised June 2015, modified June 2025, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/clinical-pathology-and-procedures/diagnostic-procedures-for-the-private-practice-laboratory/cytology. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025. [Merck]
  25. Wigle, Bill. "Diagnostic Profiles: Laboratory Assessment of Liver Disease in Small Animals." Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, 2012, https://www.addl.purdue.edu/Newsletters/2012/Spring/Diagnostic.aspx. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025. [Purdue]