Association between serum alpha-fetoproteinlevel and liver function parameters in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A case-control study

Abstract

: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer occurs in people with liver diseases like chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus. Early diagnosis and monitoring of HCC is possible with the help of tumor marker AFP. The aim of the study was to assess whether AFP level is associated with selected liver function tests in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.: Total 90 individuals are selected, 50 HCC patients with AFP >20ng/ml and 40 subjects (normal LFT and AFP value <10ng/ml) with an age between 40-70. Serum is used for analysis of AFP, SGOT, SGPT, ALP by Maglumi 1000 and Siemen biochemistry analyzer (using principle Chemiluminescence immunoassay) respectively. Unpaired T test (IBM SPSS 22.0) were used. Elevated levels of AFP (p value <0.05), SGOT (p value < 0.001), SGPT (p value < 0.001), ALP (p value < 0.001) shows statistical significance within study population and also indicated the risk of developing HCC with respect to AFP level in liver disease patients with elevated LFT parameters.: From the study, it is concluded that LFT and AFP are comparatively elevated in HCC. Treatment is usually not possible with advanced HCC due to failure of not doing proper screening at appropriate time. Early diagnosis and monitoring of HCC are possible with the help of tumor marker AFP.