[Serum alpha-fetoprotein in liver cirrhosis].
Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been determined in 86 cirrhotic patients who simultaneously underwent a complete clinical and analytical evaluation. 25.6% of patients had increased levels (19.1% of Child A, 21.9% of B and 33.3% of C) without any significative differences between Child groups. A correlation between AFP and some analytical findings has been found, being GPT included among the latter (r = 0.24, p = 0.023). No correlation has been found with different laboratory and clinical data. Our data suggest that hepatocyte lesion and/or regeneration play a role in the raise of AFP, although other mechanisms must be implied. Extremely high values, especially with a non active cirrhosis, hardly could be attribute to it, that is why AFP is still a good marker of malignant degeneration in these patients.
Collazos
J
J
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Galdácano, Vizcaya.
Rodríguez
J
J
de Miguel
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016011:Normal Distribution; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins