title: Lack of correlation between alpha-fetoprotein and tumor size in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharieff
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Burney
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salam
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins