ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2016 | Volume
: 29
| Issue : 1 | Page : 141-146 |
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The diagnostic value of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen for prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Maha A El-Bassuonia, Rawhya H El-Edel, Eman A Gawesh, Sally S Mandour
Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine; Department of Clinical Pathology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
Correspondence Address:
Sally S Mandour MBBCh, Department of Clinical Pathology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, 5 Taiseer Street, Shebein El Kom, Menoufia Governorate, 32511 Egypt
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1110-2098.179005
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Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) in comparison with α-fetoprotein (AFP) in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Background
HCC is the most common type of primary liver cancer and shows a growing incidence worldwide, related to the increased prevalence of various risk factors for chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis infection with hepatitis C and B viruses. Each year HCC is diagnosed in more than half a million people worldwide. Therefore, prompt diagnosis of HCC is imperative.
Patients and methods
This study was carried out at the Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, and Clinical Pathology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, from June 2012 to November 2013. The study included 30 patients with liver cirrhosis and 30 patients with HCC, in addition to 17 unrelated healthy adults of matched age and sex who were included as controls. Serum AFP and serum SCCA level were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
Although SCCA has more sensitivity than AFP in the detection of HCC, AFP remains a relatively good diagnostic marker for HCC, with high specificity.
Conclusion
AFP is a relatively good diagnostic test for cirrhosis with high specificity. Moreover, a combination of the two markers may improve sensitivity, making their combination a perfect screening test for the prediction of HCC. |
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