Correlation of alpha-fetoprotein with the size of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Lim, Hyo Soon; Jeong, Yong Yeon; Kim, Jae Kyu; Yoon, Woong; Kang, Heoung Keun; Park, Jin Gyoon

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of alpha-fetoprotein with the size of hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC), and the correlation between the degree of lipiodol uptake after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and the level of alpha-fetoprotein at the time of diagnosis. Inclusion data were 103 HCC patients treated with TACE. Patients were divided into four groups with reference to the serum alpha-fetoprotein levels at the time of diagnosis: Group I (< 20ng/ml), Group II 0-1,000ng/ml), Group III (1,000-10,000ng/ml), and Group IV (>10,000 ng/ml). The size of tumor was recorded with the largest diameter of tumor for single nodular HCC, and with the summation of all tumor diameter for multinodular HCC. It was divided into three groups; < 3cm, 3~5cm, and >5cm. With follow-up CT three weeks after TACE, the degree of lipiodol uptake was determined as complete (>90%), incomplete (51-90%), sparse(10-50%), and none (< 9%). Group I was 31 patients, Group II 50 patients, Group III 14 patients, and Group IV 8 patients. On tumor size, < 3cm was 22 patients, 3~5cm 27 patients, and >5cm 52 patients. There was no significant correlation between the size of tumor and the level of alpha- fetoprotein (r = 0.24). Sparse lipiodol uptake in follow up CT was the most common finding in 51.6% (Group I), 44% (Group II), 57.1% (Group III), and 62.5% (Group IV). There was no significant correlation between the level of alpha-fetoprotein and the degree of lipiodol uptake (r=-0.03). Although alpha-fetoprotein is bening used in the diagnosis of HCC, it was not helpful to predict the size and the degree of lipiodol uptake.