RESUMEN
Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is the fifth most common malignancy in the world. In Egypt, HCC was reported to account for about 4.7% of chronic liver disease [CLD] patients. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen [SCCA] has been reported to be strongly expressed in HCC tissue hampering its extensive use in clinical practice. Study the value of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen [SCCA] for screening of HCC. The study comprised of two groups. Group A included 60 patients with HCC diagnostically confirmed by spiral CT, elevated alfa-fetoprotein [AFP], and/or liver biopsy .Group B CLD patients diagnosed on clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographical investigations; group B suclassified into three categories according to CHILD-PUGH score included 30 patients, matched for sex and age. All groups were subjected to thorough history taking, full clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including liver functions, viral markers, and AFP and SCCA estimation using ELISA technique. This study revealed a highly significant difference between patients with HCC and CLD regarding serum SCCA levels being higher in group A [10.35 +/- 20.677] than group B [1.64 +/- 2.462][p=0.02]. SCCA level was elevated in patients with HCC with normal AFP levels representing its useful role in early detection and follow-up of patients treated for HCC. The cut-off value was established at 2 ng/ml with sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 70%. SCCA could represent a useful tool as a marker for detection of HCC