RESUMO
Objective To investigate the value of low positive AFP level for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)when a space occuping lesion was already identified in the liver.Methods The AFP level of 401 HCC cases from January 1999 to October 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.Results 22 cases of small liver cancer underwent reducing surgical resection in our hospital,increasing the quality of life and prolonging survival rate.Con- clusion(1)The AFP level between 20 and 200?g/L is of diagnostic for HCC when a SOL is identified.(2)The clinical reference diagnostic criteria using AFP level more than 20?g/L,instead of more than 200?g/L is helpful for the diagnosis.(3)Combined diagnosis of AFP level more than 20?g/L and ultrasonography or CT scanning yields higher sensitivity and specificity th.an traditional,diagnostic criteria.