Extreme elevation of serum alpha fetoprotein in decompensated cirrhosis without HCC: an ominous sign.
Three cases of extreme elevation of serum alpha fetoprotein (>10,000 ng/mL) with decompensated cirrhosis without demonstrable hepatocellular carcinoma are reported. While 2 patients died of liver failure, 1 survived after liver transplantation. Extreme elevation of alpha fetoprotein not associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in liver cirrhosis heralds an ominous prognosis necessitating urgent liver transplantation.
Senturk
H
H
Department of Gastroenterology, University of Istanbul, Istanbul,Turkey. drhakansenturk@yahoo.com
Cumali
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins