ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN EXPRESSION IN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA - A CLINICAL-STUDY

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were studied in 51 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma that presented to the Surgical Hepatobiliary Unit at Westmead Hospital over 12 years. Twenty-three were hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and 13 of those patients were Asian. Thirteen patients drank more than 60 g of alcohol each day. A significantly raised level of AFP was defined as more than 20 ng/mL, and 31 of the 51 patients had AFP levels exceeding this at some stage during surveillance. Twenty-five demonstrated levels above 200 ng/mL. Univariate statistical methods suggested that men were more likely to express raised AFP than women, Asians more likely than other races, patients with chronic active hepatitis more likely than those without and those with chronic hepatitis B infection more likely than those who were HBsAg negative. Those who drank more than 60 g alcohol each day were less likely to demonstrate a raised serum AFP than those who drank less. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that HBsAg carriage was the only statistically significant independent determinant of a raised AFP. Age 65 years or more was associated with a chance of a raised AFP.