Correlation of Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Levels with the size of Hepatocellular carcinoma on Triphasic CT scan: A study in patients with the heterotrophic viral infection

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) levels with different variables including Hepatocellular tumor size. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Center of Liver and Digestive Diseases, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Three hundred and thirty-four liver cirrhosis patients complicated with HCC were participants. Different variables such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, smoking, jaundice, fever, lethargy, weight loss, anorexia, pain right hypochondrium, abdominal distention, ascites, encephalopathy, biochemical tests (Bilirubin levels, serum albumin levels, prothrombin time(PT) (6 sec prolonged), child Turcotte class ( A, Band C), PST(performance status), Barcelona Clinic liver cancer staging system (0/A/B/C/D) and tumor size in 3 Groups (Group I size 5cm size) were compared with serum Alpha Feto Proteins (AFP) levels( Group I AFP level >20 and 400ng/mL). Data were analyzed through SPSS Statistics version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY), Spearman’s rank is used for P-value. Results: The AFP (Group-I/II/III )association with diabetes (P 0.121), HTN (P 0.811), IHD (P 0.546), HBsAg positive patients (all P 0.186), HCV positive patients (all P 0.131), pain right hypochondrium (P 0.599), fever (P 0.065), lethargy (P 0.388) and Encephalopathy (all P 0.075) were identified as non-significant association while biochemical levels such as Bilirubin (P 0.000), Albumin (P 0.000), Prothrombin Time (P 0.038) creatinine ( all P 0.001) , Child Turcotte Class A, B and C (P 0.000),smoking (P 0.023), weight Loss (P 0.002), Anorexia (P 0.007), Jaundice (P 0.012), Ascites (P value 0.000), ECOG (P 0.000), Barcelona Clinic for liver cancer (BCLC) staging system (P 0.000), lesion I (P 0.000) and lesions II (P 0.006) on CECT had significant association. Conclusion: We hereby, conclude that there is a noteworthy correlation between Alpha Feto Proteins with different variables including an increase in the size of the tumor. Hence Alfa Feto protein is not only helpful for the diagnosis of HCC but also has a pivotal role in predicting tumor burden and disease level.

Keywords

• Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Levels, hepatocellular carcinoma, heterotrophic viral infection.