Correlation of Elevated Serum Alpha Feto-Protein Level with Mean Tumor Size in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Muhammad  Hanif; Nabeeha  Mobeen; Noor ul Huda; Muhammad Abubakar  Nagra; Hafiz Amjad  Hussain; Umair  Ahmed; Amin  Anjum

doi:10.29054/apmc/2020.987

Muhammad Hanif Associate Professor of Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad Pakistan
Nabeeha Mobeen Post Graduate Resident, Department of Medicine Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Noor ul Huda House Officer, Department of Medicine, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Muhammad Abubakar Nagra Post Graduate Resident, Department of Medicine, DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Hafiz Amjad Hussain Senior Registrar, Medicine, DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Umair Ahmed Senior Registrar, Medicine, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Amin Anjum Assistant Professor of Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2020.987

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Tumor size, AFP levels

Abstract

Background: Correct diagnosis and staging of HCC are very vital regarding treatment and other decisions of management. We have several imaging modalities available with high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis or staging of HCC but not so many biochemical tests for small or well differentiated HCC. Objective: Correlation of level of serum Alpha feto-protein with mean tumor size in hepatocellular carcinoma. Study Design: Descriptive, Cross-sectional study. Settings: Departments of Medicine Allied Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: 5^th November 2017 to 4^th May 2018. Methodology: A total of 40 patients of HCC and age 18-70 years of either gender were included. Pregnant, lactating women and patients having high levels of AFP from sources other than HCC were excluded. Serum levels of AFP were measured by same laboratory by taking blood samples and size of HCC on ultrasonography was obtained by same radiologist. Results: Mean age was 54.90 ± 10.25 years. Out of these 40 patients, 26 (65.0%) were male and 14 (35.0%) were females with male to female ratio of 1.9:1. Mean size of hepatocellular carcinoma was 6.44 ± 3.40 cm and mean AFP levels were 3.0692E3 ± 6505.82 ng/ml. Pearson Correlation coefficient between AFP levels and Size of HCC was found to be 0.152 with p-value of 0.349. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is positive correlation between AFP levels and Size of HCC.