Methods and kits for analysing a sample from a test subject. The methods involve determining the level of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of N- acetylglutamate, methionine, acetylcarnitine, indole-3 -acetate, 2-oxoglutarate, anserine, aspartate and butyrate in the sample from the test subject; and comparing the level of the at least one compound determined to at least one control level, wherein the levels of the at least one compound are indicative of whether the subject has hepatic cancer.