title: Corelation of serum alpha fetoprotein and tumor size in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the correlation of elevated serum Alpha feto-protein with tumour size in hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analytical study was done at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Medical Unit-III, Ward-7 from January 2009 to June 2010. Patients enrolled in study were known cases of chronic liver disease and were complicated by development of hepatocellular carcinoma; those having metastasis in liver from any where were excluded. Demographic data such as age, gender, residence, were recorded. Detailed clinical history and examination were carried out and recorded in a preformed Performa. Complete blood count, liver function test, total protein, Albumin/Globulin (A/G) ratio, serum Albumin, HBsAg, anti HCV, alpha fetoprotein, ultrasound guided liver biopsy, ultrasound whole abdomen and/or CTscan Abdomen for size and number of tumour were also done. On the basis of alfa fetoprotein level patients were divided in to 3 groups; Group I with normal AFP (< or = 20IU/ml), Group II with moderately elevated AFP (20-399IU/ml), and Group III with markedly elevated AFP (> or =400 iu/ml). On the basis of tumour size patients were also divided in to 3 groups; group A <3 cm, group B 3-5 cm and group C >5 cm. Correlation of serum AFP levels with tumor size was analyzed by applying Spearman's rank correlation with r-values of 0.01 being considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Review of the clinical data of 98 patients male 69 (70.4%) and female were 29 (29.6%) with mean age of 53.89 +/- 12.511 ranging from 32 to 82 years was done. Of these there were 22 (22.4%), 25 (25.5%), 51(52%) cases in group 1, 2, 3 respectively. While in tumour size groups, 17 (17.3%) were in group A, 35 (35.7%) in group B and 46 (46.9%) in group C. There was a significant correlation of serum AFP level with tumour size in hepatocellular carcinoma. (r=0.472, 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that serum AFP has significant correlation with the size of tumour. AFP level may serve as a useful marker for detection of Hepatocellular carcinoma and to differentiate between early and advance stage. On the basis of this proper treatment strategy can be planned.
authors.affiliation: Ward-7, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.
authors.forename: Amanullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.forename: Abdul Rabb
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bhutto
authors.forename: Nazish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Syed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Munir
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001706:Biopsy; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins