Serum α-Fetoprotein in the Early Stage of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Journal
Gastroenterology
Journal Volume
86
Journal Issue
6
Pages
1404-1409
Date Issued
1984
Author(s)
Abstract
The serum α-fetoprotein levels of 17 patients with cancers ≥3 cm in size were studied using radioimmunoassay to determine α-fetoprotein response in the early stage of human hepatocellular carcinoma. The levels were normal in 6 patients (35%), and elevated to 645 ± 1140 μg/L (mean ± SD) in the remaining patients. The levels were not correlated with tumor size. In 10 surgically resected patients, 5 had elevated levels of α-fetoprotein that returned to normal after surgery. The levels and tumor sizes were serially observed for 3–26 mo in the remaining 7 patients not surgically treated. In 1 patient afetoprotein levels were persistently normal and in the other 6 patients, the levels tended to increase with a median doubling time of 60–75 days (range 30–223 days). Despite continued tumor growth, a spontaneous fall in serum α-fetoprotein levels was encountered in 4 patients; in 2 patients the levels even fell within the normal range. After this fall, the levels increased drastically in 4 patients. We concluded that in the early stage of hepatocellular carcinoma, serum α-fetoprotein level is frequently normal, and thus determination of serum α-fetoprotein levels only is not a reliable indicator in the early detection of human hepatocellular carcinoma. A spontaneous fall in the level of α-fetoprotein is not an uncommon finding in the early stages of this cancer and cannot be used to rule out the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. © 1984, American Gastroenterological Association. All rights reserved.
Type
journal article