significance of serum alpha feto protein in malignant and non malignant liver diseases

Serum alpha feto protein [AFP] is a reliable marker for hepato cellular carcinoma [HCC]. In 113 patients with HCC and other hepato biliary diseases, and 45 normal controls, AFP was estimated by radioimmunoassay. It was elevated in 80% of HCC patients compared to 40% and less in other hepato biliary diseases [P < 0.001]. Moreover, the mean value in HCC was 17854 ng/ml, compared to a mean of 18.7 ng/ml which was the highest among the non malignant conditions studied. Again, the specificity of AFP level compared to normal controls, benign liver diseases, and metastatic liver diseases were [100%, 87.3%, and 94.7%] respectively. It seems that serum AFP is a reliable and sensitive marker and is recommended for the early diagnosis of HCC