Lack of correlation between alpha-fetoprotein and tumor size in hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there was a correlation between tumor size and alpha feto-protein (alpha-FP) levels in hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Retrospective study in tertiary referral center with specialist Oncology services in Southern Pakistan.


METHODS
Consecutive patients with biopsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed between January 1994 and June 1998.


METHODS
Correlation between alpha-FP levels and maximum tumor diameter.


RESULTS
The mean tumor size was 8.3 +/- 4.2 cm. The mean alpha-FP level was 17,027 ng/ml. Twenty four percent patients had an alpha-FP level which was within the normal limits (< 10 ng/ml). There was no correlation between tumor size and alpha-FP levels (r = -0.155; p = 0.129).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no correlation between the tumor size and alpha-FP levels.
Sharieff
S
S
Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Burney
I A
IA
Salam
A
A
Siddiqui
T
T
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins