1986 Volume 83 Issue 10 Pages 2145-2150
We made a prospective study of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 160 patients with cirrhosis of the liver from January 1983 to October 1985. During this period, serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were assayed every 2 months and abdominal ultrasonography (US) was done every 3 months. Detection of the carcinoma in the 16 patients found in 1983 or 1984 to have HCC was by US in 75% of the cases and by AFP in 19%. Eight of these patients had small HCC, 2cm or smaller. US was very effective for detection of these lesions. Seropositivity for HBs antigen was a statistically significant risk factor.
To detect small HCC and to minimize the expense of testing, periodic screening using AFP and US is recommended.
Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi
Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi Kou
