Role Of Afp In Cancer Of The Liver

Life Sciences & Biotechnology Update, Feb, 2001

This translation from Nigeria (University College Hospital) addresses the role of AFP in liver cancer. Liver diseases are common worldwide, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. It has varied incidences globally, but it is particularly common in Africans, with a high prevalence in Nigerians where it accounted for the 4th most common cause of death in both sexes between 1976 and 1995. Similarly, its incidence has remained persistently high, between 3.1% and 8.6% per annum. Hepatocellular carcinoma occurs among all socio-economic classes of the population, and is most common among the 30-50 year old group, two decades earlier than in Caucasians and Americans.

Patients with HCC present in several patterns, with the majority having sudden onset of abdominal pain and swelling, which is usually progressive and which runs an aggressive course. Patients who are in their prime of life arrive late in hospitals, when the disease is advanced and is unlikely to respond to the usual modalities of therapy, hence the disease has a gloomy picture. The solution is early diagnosis, with prompt therapy, for achieving a possible cure of the disease.

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