Value of serum alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha fetoprotein in the diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in cirrhotic patients

ABSTRACT

Biochemical tumor markers have attracted more and more attention in the diagnosis of malignant diseases. Searching for a new marker useful in the initial diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is the focus of many recent studies. This study was carried out to clarify the value of assay of alpha fetoprotein [AFP] and alpha-1-antitrypsin [AAT] for the diagnosis of HCC. Also to evaluate potential benefits of combined assay of AFP and AAT. The study was carried out on three groups; Group [1], consisted of 15 healthy persons, Group [2], consisted of 30 patients with liver cirrhosis [LC] and Group [3], that consisted of 30 patients with HCC, all on top of LC. As regards AFP, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and total accuracy were found to be 56.67 percent, 90 percent, 67.5 percent and 73.33 percent respectively in diagnosing HCC in cirrhotic patients. Regarding AAT, these figures were found to be 53.33 percent, 90 percent, 84.2 percent, 65.85 percent, and 71.67 percent respectively in diagnosing HCC. Combined assay of AFP and AAT had raised the total accuracy to 83.33 percent and the sensitivity to 86.67 percent