Corelation of serum alpha fetoprotein and tumor size in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: to determine the correlation of elevated serum alpha feto-protein with tumour size in hepatocellular carcinoma.methods: a cross-sectional analytical study was done at jinnah postgraduate medical centre, karachi, medical unit-iii, ward-7 from january 2009 to june 2010. patients enrolled in study were known cases of chronic liver disease and were complicated by development of hepatocellular carcinoma; those having metastasis in liver from any where were excluded. demographic data such as age, gender, residence, were recorded. detailed clinical history and examination were carried out and recorded in a preformed performa. complete blood count, liver function test, total protein, albumin/globulin (a/g) ratio, serum albumin, hbsag, anti hcv, alpha fetoprotein, ultrasound guided liver biopsy, ultrasound whole abdomen and/or ctscan abdomen for size and number of tumour were also done. on the basis of alfa fetoprotein level patients were divided in to 3 groups; group i with normal afp (<20iu/ml), group ii with moderately elevated afp (20-399iu/ml), and group iii with markedly elevated afp (>400 iu/ml). on the basis of tumour size patients were also divided in to 3 groups; group a <3 cm, group b 3-5 cm and group c >5 cm. correlation of serum afp levels with tumor size was analyzed by applying spearman's rank correlation with r-values of 0.01 being considered significant.results: review of the clinical data of 98 patients male 69 (70.4%) and female were 29 (29.6%) with mean age of 53.89 ±12.511 ranging from 32 to 82 years was done. of these there were 22 (22.4%), 25 (25.5%), 51(52%) cases in group 1, 2, 3 respectively. while in tumour size groups, 17 (17.3%) were in group a, 35 (35.7%) in group b and 46 (46.9%) in group c. there was a significant correlation of serum afp level with tumour size in hepatocellular carcinoma. (r=0.472, 0.0001).conclusion: our study suggests that serum afp has significant correlation with the size of tumour. afp level may serve as a useful marker for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma and to differentiate between early and advance stage. on the basis of this proper treatment strategy can be planned