title: Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis by ultrasound and alfafetoprotein: a prospective study.
abstract: A prospective surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with cirrhosis, using alfafetoprotein (AFP) and real-time ultrasonography (US) was carried out in 157 patients with histologically proven cirrhosis. During a two-year follow-up, 15 asymptomatic HCCs were identified. HCCs detected by these methods were at a relatively early stage, as most tumors were small (13 out of 15 less than 5 cm). US was more sensitive than AFP in the diagnosis of HCC when values greater than 400 ng/ml were considered. Patients with initial AFP values greater than 20 ng/ml developed HCC within two years more frequently than patients with values less than 20 ng/ml. A combined approach using US and AFP is suggested in our geographical area.
authors: Department of Medicine, Ospedale Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cottone
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Turri
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Caltagirone
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Maringhini
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Sciarrino
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Virdone
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Fusco
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Orlando
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Marino
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Pagliaro
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins