Low Hepatic Toxicity in Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancers after Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Using 3 Fractions

This study evaluated the incidence of hepatic toxicity after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) using 3 fractions to the liver, and identified the predictors for hepatic toxicity. We retrospectively reviewed 78 patients with primary and metastatic liver cancers, who underwent SABR using 3 fractions between 2003 and 2011. To examine the incidence of hepatic toxicity, we defined newly developed hepatic toxicity> or =grade 2 according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0 within 3 months after the end of SABR as a significant adverse event. To identify the predictors for hepatic toxicity, we analyzed several clinical and dosimetric parameters (rV(5Gy)-rV(35Gy): normal liver volume receiving or =grade 2 occurred in 10 patients (13%): grade 2 in 9 patients and grade 3 in 1 patient. On univariate analysis, baseline Child-Pugh (CP) score (5 vs. 6-8), normal liver volume, and planning target volume were the significant clinical predictors. All dosimetric parameters were significant: rV(20Gy) was the most significant predictor. On multivariate analysis, baseline CP score (hazard ratio, 0.026; P=0.001) was the only significant predictor. In conclusion, SABR using 3 fractions in primary and metastatic liver cancers produces low hepatic toxicity, especially in patients with a baseline CP score of 5. However, further studies are needed to minimize hepatic toxicity in patients with baseline CP scores> or =6.

Complete Tumor Resection for a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Secreting Parathyroid Hormone-related Peptide / 대한소화기학회지

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in Korea. Diverse paraneoplastic syndromes can occur in patients with HCC, but parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH-rP)-induced hypercalcemia is uncommon. Hypercalcemia due to PTH or particularly PTH-rP-secreting HCC is associated with poor outcomes. We report a 71-year-old man who presented with symptoms of vague abdominal discomfort, somnolence, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Imaging studies revealed a large HCC without metastasis. The laboratory findings showed elevated serum calcium level, low intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level and elevated PTH-rP level. These results led to a diagnosis of a PTH-rP-secreting HCC and paraneoplastic hypercalcemia. After emergency management of the hypercalcemia, the patient underwent an extended right hemihepatectomy with cholecystectomy. One year after the surgery, he is alive with normal calcium, PTH-rP, and iPTH levels. This case demonstrates that the rare phenomenon of life-threatening hypercalcemia caused by HCC should not be overlooked. These symptoms offer a good opportunity to diagnose HCC early. Radical tumor resection makes it possible to cure patients with PTH-rP-secreting HCC.

Combined treatment with silibinin and either sorafenib or gefitinib enhances their growth-inhibiting effects in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Silibinin, the main component of silymarin, is used as a hepatoprotectant and exhibits anticancer effects against various cancer cells. This study evaluated the effects of a combination of silibinin with either gefitinib or sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHODS: Several different human HCC cell lines were used to test the growth-inhibiting effects and cell toxicity of silibinin both alone and in combination with either gefitinib or sorafenib. The cell viability and growth inhibition were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, trypan blue staining, and a colony-forming assay. Furthermore, changes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related signals were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Gefitinib, sorafenib, and silibinin individually exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative effects on HCC cells. Combined treatment with silibinin enhanced the gefitinib-induced growth-inhibiting effects in some HCC cell lines. The combination effect of gefitinib and silibinin was synergistic in the SNU761 cell line, but was only additive in the Huh-BAT cell line. The combination effect may be attributable to inhibition of EGFR-dependent Akt signaling. Enhanced growth-inhibiting effects were also observed in HCC cells treated with a combination of sorafenib and silibinin. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with silibinin enhanced the growth-inhibiting effects of both gefitinib and sorafenib. Therefore, the combination of silibinin with either sorafenib or gefitinib could be a useful treatment approach for HCC in the future.

Allopurinol-induced DRESS syndrome mimicking biliary obstruction

An 84-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, jaundice, and itching. He had been diagnosed previously with chronic renal failure and diabetes, and had been taking allopurinol medication for 2 months. A physical examination revealed that he had a fever (38.8degrees C), jaundice, and a generalized maculopapular rash. Azotemia, eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, elevation of liver enzymes, and hyperbilirubinemia were detected by blood analysis. Magnetic resonance cholangiography revealed multiple cysts similar to choledochal cysts in the liver along the biliary tree. Obstructive jaundice was suspected clinically, and so an endoscopic ultrasound examination was performed, which ruled out a diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. The patient was diagnosed with DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) syndrome due to allopurinol. Allopurinol treatment was stopped and steroid treatment was started. The patient died from cardiac arrest on day 15 following admission.

Outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy for unresectable primary or recurrent cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE: To report the results of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for unresectable primary or recurrent cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 through August 2013, 58 patients with unresectable primary (n = 28) or recurrent (n = 30) cholangiocarcinoma treated by SBRT were retrospectively analyzed. The median prescribed dose was 45 Gy in 3 fractions (range, 15 to 60 Gy in 1-5 fractions). Patients were treated by SBRT only (n = 53) or EBRT + SBRT boost (n = 5). The median tumor volume was 40 mL (range, 5 to 1,287 mL). RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 10 months (range, 1 to 97 months). The 1-year, 2-year overall survival rates, and median survival were 45%, 20%, and 10 months, respectively. The median survival for primary group and recurrent group were 5 and 13 months, respectively. Local control rate at 1-year and 2-year were 85% and 72%, respectively. Disease progression-free survival rates at 1-year and 2-year were 26% and 23%, respectively. In univariate analysis, ECOG performance score (0-1 vs. 2-3), treatment volume ( or =50 mL), and pre-SBRT CEA level ( or =5 ng/mL) were significant in overall survival rate. In multivariate analysis, ECOG score (p = 0.037) and tumor volume (p = 0.030) were statistically significant. In the recurrent tumor group, patients with >12 months interval from surgery to recurrence showed statistically significant higher overall survival rate than those with or =grade 3 complications. CONCLUSION: SBRT can be considered as an effective local modality for unresectable primary or recurrent cholangiocarcinoma.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-C Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for liver tumor in patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-C stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 patients between 2003 and 2011. Vascular invasion was diagnosed in 32 patients, extrahepatic metastases in 11 and both in 8. Thirty-two patients were categorized under Child-Pugh (CP) class A and 3 patients with CP class B. The median SABR dose was 45 Gy (range, 30-60 Gy) in 3-5 fractions. The median survival time was 14 months. The 1- and 3-yr overall survival (OS) rate was 52% and 21%, respectively. On univariate analysis, CP class A and biologically equivalent dose > or = 80 Gy10 were significant determinants of better OS. Severe toxicity above grade 3, requiring prompt therapeutic intervention, was observed in 5 patients. In conclusion, SABR for BCLC-C stage HCC showed 1-yr OS rate of 52% but treatment related toxicity was moderate. We suggest that patients with CP class A are the best candidate and at least SABR dose of 80 Gy10 is required for BCLC-C stage.

A Case of Hereditary Spherocytosis Coexisting with Gilbert's Syndrome / 대한소화기학회지

We recently encountered a case of hereditary spherocytosis coexisting with Gilbert's syndrome. Patient was initially diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome and observed, but other findings suggestive of concurrent hemolysis, such as splenomegaly and gallstones were noted during the follow-up period. Therefore, further evaluations, including a peripheral blood smear, osmotic fragility test, autohemolysis test, and red blood cell membrane protein test were performed, and coexisting hereditary spherocytosis was diagnosed. Genotyping of the conjugation enzyme uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase was used to confirm Gilbert's syndrome. Because of the high prevalence rates and similar symptoms of these 2 diseases, hereditary spherocytosis can be masked in patients with Gilbert's syndrome. In review of a case and other article, the possibility of the coexistence of these 2 diseases should be considered, especially in patients with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia who also have splenomegaly and gallstones.

The Histologic Cut-off Point for Adjacent and Remote Non-neoplastic Liver Parenchyma of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

BACKGROUND: The molecular profile of peritumoral non-neoplastic liver parenchyma (PNLP) has recently been suggested as predictive factor of early and late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is no definite cut-off point for tumor-free PNLP in terms of either histological or molecular changes. Therefore, our aim is to determine the numerical cut-off point for separating adjacent PNLP and remote PNLP in histopathologic perspective. METHODS: Peritumoral tissues from 20 resected HCC patients were sampled from 0 to 40 mm distance from the tumor border (divided into 5-mm columns). Histopathologic parameters such as necroinflammatory activity, fibrosis, bile ductular reaction, hepatic venulitis, peliosis, and steatosis were compared between each column. RESULTS: The morphologic changes just adjacent to the tumor were notably severe and faded with distance. The parenchyma within 10 mm of the tumor showed significantly severe inflammation, fibrosis, peliosis and hepatic venulitis compared with those from farther areas. The histopathologic changes of the parenchyma became stable beyond 20 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study revealed that the parenchyma within 10 mm distance from the tumor, or adjacent PNLP, has histopathologic changes that are directly affected by the tumor, and the parenchyma beyond 20 mm as the remote PNLP without tumor effect.

Could HBsAg Quantification Predict Sustained Response Following Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B? / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Recent developments in systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma / 대한간학회지

Despite recent developments in various chemotherapeutic agents and the performing of numerous clinical trials, chemotherapy still produces unsatisfactory results in hepatocellular carcinoma due to poor clinical benefit compared with untreated controls and its significant toxicity. The presence of liver cirrhosis, its complications, and decreased liver function increase the complexity of chemotherapy. There is recent evidence that targeted agents and antiangiogenic agents such as thalidomide are somewhat effective whilst having minimal toxicities. Some patients are cured by aggressive chemotherapy alone or in combination with other modalities. Therefore, if a patient is in good condition and the tumor shows some response to chemotherapy, aggressive chemotherapy might be considered. Although conventional chemotherapeutic agents are not very effective in many patients, their utility might be improved by lowering toxicities using reduced doses or by selecting only responsive patients if adequate chemosensitivity tests are available. Imaging studies have been conventional tools for evaluating tumor responses, but their results are not always reliable. Establishing criteria for accurately determining tumor responses is urgently needed, along with better chemotherapeutic drugs and regimens.

Mutation analysis of p31(comet) gene, a negative regulator of Mad2, in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Failure of mitotic checkpoint machinery leads to the chromosomal missegregation and nuclear endoreduplication, thereby driving the emergence of aneuploidy and tetraploidy population. Although abnormal nuclear ploidy and the resulting impairment of mitotic checkpoint function are typical physiological event leading to human hepatocellular carcinoma, any mutational change of mitotic checkpoint regulators has not yet been discovered. Therefore, we investigated the mutation of p31(comet), a recently identified mitotic checkpoint regulator, in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Of 51 human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and 6 cell lines tested, five samples exhibited nucleotide sequence variations dispersed on four sites within the entire coding sequence. Among these sites with sequence substitutions, three were found to be missense mutation accompanied with amino acid change but one was a silent mutation. Of these sequence substitutions, two were present in both tumor and non-tumor liver tissues, suggesting the possibility of polymorphism. The present findings indicate that p31(comet) does not have an impact on the formation of aneuploidy and tetraploidy found in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Usefulness of Colonoscopy as a Colon Cancer Screening Test for Asymptomatic Adults / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated the prevalence and location of colonic adenomatous polyps in asymptomatic adults. METHODS: A total of 2,849 asymptomatic adults underwent colonscopic screening as a part of health evaluation from January 2003 to September 2005. Completed questionnaires as well as the colonoscopic and pathologic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 406 (14.3%) subjects with adenomatous polyps including 78 (2.7%) with advanced polyps. There was a trend toward an increased prevalence of adenomatous polyps with age. The relative risk of a proximal polyp according to the distal findings was 5.7 (95% CI 4.3 ~ 7.4) for adenoma, 4.9 (95% CI 3.0 ~ 7.7) for advanced adenoma compared with that for no adenomatous polyp. There were no index polyps at the distal colon in 30% of the 406 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Though distal polyps are associated with the proximal polyps, 30% of asymptomatic adults with proximal polyps are not associated with any distal index polyps. For those without any contraindication to the procedure, colonoscopy performed by experienced colonoscopists as a screening test is feasible for detecting those patients with colorectal polyps.

Locally Advanced, Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer Treated by Stereotactic Radiation Therapy / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: In order to find out whether stereotactic radiation therapy (RT) using CyberKnife (CK) could improve survival rate and lower acute toxicity compared to conventional RT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2003 through April 2004, 19 patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 80 cc (p-value80 cc showed better survival rate. CONCLUSION: In terms of survival, the efficacy of stereotactic radiation therapy using CK was found to be superior or similar to other recent studies achieved with conventional RT with intensive chemotherapy, high dose conformal RT, intraoperative RT (IORT), or intensity modulated RT (IMRT). Furthermore, severe toxicity was not observed. Short treatment time in relation to the short life expectancy gave patients more convenience and, finally, quality of life would be increased. Consequently, this could be regarded as an effective novel treatment modality for locally advanced, unresectable pancreas cancer. PTV would be a helpful prognostic factor for CK.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Korean Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is now being increasingly used among cancer patients. The objectives of our study were to assess the prevalence, types, cost, subjective effects, and side effects of CAM use, reasons for CAM use, characteristics of CAM users compared to those of nonusers, and patients' expectations of doctors regarding their CAM use among Korean cancer patients at a single cancer center. METHODS: From April to August, 2003, we interviewed 186 cancer patients hospitalized in the Korea Cancer Center Hospital using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed the data. RESULTS: 78.5% of experimental subjects (146 patients) had been treated with at least one type of CAM, in addition to conventional Western treatment, with a mean monthly cost of 1, 380, 000 Won/person (approximately, 1, 100 U.S. dollars on July, 2004). The most prevalent types of CAM used by these patients included medicinal mushrooms (67.1%), herbs (54.1%), vegetable diets (50.6%), and ginseng (46.5%). The main reported reasons for the use of CAM in addition to conventional medicine were nutritional support (19.1%) and physical strengthening (17.8%). 5% of CAM users experienced side effects. The younger and more educated the patients were, the more likely they were to employ CAM. 66% of CAM users wanted to discuss CAM techniques with their doctors. CONCLUSION: More than two-thirds of cancer patients used various kinds of CAM, incurring considerable costs. Therefore, in order to help patients make informed decisions, medical society should be open to communication with patients. Not only the scientific aspects, but also the economic aspects of CAM usage should be examined more thoroughly, in order to ensure proper distribution of medical resources.

Positron Emission Tomography with Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose is Useful for Predicting the Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is heterogenous in terms of its glucose metabolism. Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) shows various levels of FDG uptake for patients with HCC. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of FDG-PET for predicting the outcome of the patients with HCC. METHODS: FDG-PET was performed for 27 patients with HCC. The standardized uptake value (SUV) and SUV ratio (defined as the tumor-to-nontumor ratio of SUV) was calculated for each patient. The clinical factors of the outcome were analyzed by regression analysis using Cox's multivariate proportional hazard model. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Among the analyzed clinical factors including tumor size, number of tumors, AFP, involvement of major vessels, presence of systemic metastases, Child-Pugh class the SUV and SUV ratio, only the SUV was the only significant independent prognostic factor (p=0.001). On the basis of the SUV, the patients were divided into two groups of roughly equal size: group A, SUV of or=7. The cumulative survival rate was significantly lower for group B than for group A, and the median survival time was significantly different (4 months vs 15 months, respectively) (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that FDG-PET is useful to predict the outcome for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Evaluation of Various Hepatic Lesions with Positron Emission Tomography / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: [18F]FDG-PET is a functional imaging modality reflecting cellular glucose metabolism. In most malignant cells, accumulation and trapping of [18F]FDG allows the visualization of increased uptake compared with normal cells. The aim of this study was to assess the value of PET in differentiating benign from malignant hepatic lesions and to determine in which types of hepatic tumors PET can help evaluate stage, monitor response to therapy, and detect recurrence. METHODS: Eighty patients with liver lesions were enrolled (hepatocellular carcinoma 34, cholangiocarcinoma 8, metastatic liver cancer 25, hemangioma 6, liver abscess 7). Liver metastases were 22 adenocarcinoma, 2 lymphoma, 2 squamous cell carcinoma. The PET images of these patients were analyzed. SUV and lesion-to-normal liver background SUV ratio were obtained and compared among the disease groups. RESULTS: All liver metastases and all cholangiocarcinomas had increased uptake value, with SUV ratios greater than 2. Hepatocellular carcinoma had SUV ratios greater than 2 in 20 of 34 patients (59%). All hemangiomas had poor uptake, a SUV ratio of less than 2. All liver abscesses showed definite uptake. CONCLUSIONS: The PET technique using FDG static imaging was useful in differentiating malignant from benign lesions of the liver in limited situations. Limitations included false negative results in some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver abscesses raised problems in differential diagnosis from malignant liver tumors. The findings of this study suggest that the PET technique might be applied in tumor staging and the detection of recurrence, as well as monitoring responses to therapy for all adenocarcinomas and some hepatocelluar carcinomas.

A Case of Neurotoxicity Following 5-Fluorouracil-based Chemotherapy

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent. However, its neurotoxicity is rare and not well recognized. We report a case of 5-FU neurotoxicity with organic brain syndrome and progression to multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a 44-year-old male patient having malignant gast- rointestinal stromal tumor. 5-FU-induced neurotoxicity should, therefore, be considered as an important differential diagnosis in cancer patients with neurological abnormality and history of chemotherapy.

Clinical Characteristics of Non-B, Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Detection of HBV, HCV and TTV Viremia / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: About 15% of Korean hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are negative both of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in their sera. They can be classified as a non-B, non-C hepatocellular carcinoma group (NBNC group). The aims of our study were, firstly, to describe the clinical characteristics of Korean NBNC HCC and compare them with those of HBsAg-positive HCC (HBV group) and anti-HCV-positive HCC (HCV group). Secondly we wanted to assess the frequency of viremia of HBV, HCV and transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) in NBNC HCC patients. METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical data and sera from 113 NBNC HCC patients and performed PCR for HBV DNA, HCV RNA and TTV DNA. We also collected clinical data from 125 HBsAg-positive HCC patients and 61 anti-HCV-positive HCC patients during a similar period. RESULTS: The mean age of the NBNC HCC group was 59 years, in-between that of the HBV and the HCV groups. A History of heavy alcohol drinking was found in 48% of the NBNC HCC group. This was significantly higher than that of the HBV group, but similar to that of the HCV group. Serum alphaFP level in the NBNC HCC group was more frequently in the normal range compared to that in the HBV and HCV groups. The detection rates of HBV DNA, HCV RNA and TTV DNA in the NBNC HCC group were 17%, 13%, and 67% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The NBNC HCC patients seemed to comprise a heterogeneous group of various etiologies and clinical presentations. About one third of these patients displayed evidence of viremia of HBV or HCV.

Expression of P-glycoprotein and p53 Protein in Stage IV Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Systemic Chemotherapy / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a drug-resistant tumor. The expression of a multidrug resistant gene, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a major mechanism of drug resistance. The aims of our study were, firstly, to observe the expression rate of P-gp in HCC tissue obtained by percutaneous fine needle aspiration (PCNA) from stage IV HCC patients; secondly to examine the association between P-gp and chemotherapeutic response; and finally to investigate the correlation between p53 protein expression and P-gp expression. Subjects and METHODS: We studied 29 cases of stage IV HCC treated by systemic chemotherapy. Expression of P-gp and p53 were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of HCC tissue with human monoclonal antibody, JSB-1 (Anti P-gp) and DO-7 (Anti p53), respectively. We analyzed the results of immunohistochemical staining of HCC tissues of the patients in relation to chemotherapeutic response and other clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The expression rate of P-gp was 27.6%. Partial response to anti-cancer chemotherapy was observed in 16.7% of the patients. Although we could not see a statistically significant association between P-gp expression and chemotherapeutic response, none of the responsive patients showed P-gp expression. p53 protein expression was found in 45% of the patients. There was no significant correlation between p53 protein expression and P-gp expression. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of our study subjects was small, chemotherapy- responsive patients didn't show P-gp expression. P-gp expression might be used as a predictor of response to potentially toxic anti-cancer chemotherapy in HCC patients. Further study is warranted to confirm our results.

Implications of Serum Levels of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Chronic Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Angiogenesis occurs in response to tissue damage, and is of vital importance for tumor growth and metastasis. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are potent angiogenic factors, and have been suggested to be useful diagnostic markers in certain hypervascular tumors. However, little is known of serum bFGF and VEGF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We attempted to measure serum bFGF and VEGF in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) and HCC to assess their pathogenetic role and usability as tumor markers. METHODS: Serum bFGF and VEGF were measured in 8 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 15 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and 49 patients with HCC. bFGF was measured in 33, and VEGF was measured in 50, healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Serum bFGF was 3.8+/-1.9, 2.0+/-1.4, 4.2+/-6.0, 17.4+/-30.0 pg/mL in normal control, CH, LC, HCC, respectively. The serum bFGF level was significantly increased in patients with HCC when compared with normal control or patients with CLD. No difference, however, was observed in serum VEGF levels among the four groups. The serum levels of bFGF and VEGF were not significantly different in patients with HCC according to tumor type, size and stage. Serum bFGF showed good sensitivity (90%), specificity (87%), and positive predictive value (94%) in differentiating patients with HCC from those with CLD at the cut-off value of 4.6 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: bFGF might play a role in the growth of HCC and its serum level might be used as a tumor marker. On the other hand, serum VEGF does not seem to be an adequate tumor marker.