Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis by ultrasound and alfafetoprotein: a prospective study.
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.
Cottone
M
M
Department of Medicine, Ospedale Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
Turri
M
M
Caltagirone
M
M
Maringhini
A
A
Sciarrino
E
E
Virdone
R
R
Fusco
G
G
Orlando
A
A
Marino
L
L
Pagliaro
L
L
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*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins