Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy in hepatitis cases which is difficult to detect in early stages. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker which has been introduced for screening but in Southeast Asia where the rate of hepatitis B seropositivity is very high, the diagnostic benefit is still doubtful. Here, a literature review of three Thai reports was conducted, covering 4,295 cases. The overall diagnostic activity showed sensitivity, specificity, false positives and false negatives of 73.5 %, 98.9 %, 26.5 % and 1.1 %, respectively. Thus the sensitivity is insufficient for screening purposes and serum AFP can not be recommended for hepatitis B carriers over standard tests.
(2005). Alpha Fetoprotein for Screening for Hepatocellular Cancer in Populations with Viral Hepatitis B: an Appraisal of Thai Reports. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 6(4), 535-536.
MLA
. "Alpha Fetoprotein for Screening for Hepatocellular Cancer in Populations with Viral Hepatitis B: an Appraisal of Thai Reports". Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 6, 4, 2005, 535-536.
HARVARD
(2005). 'Alpha Fetoprotein for Screening for Hepatocellular Cancer in Populations with Viral Hepatitis B: an Appraisal of Thai Reports', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 6(4), pp. 535-536.
VANCOUVER
Alpha Fetoprotein for Screening for Hepatocellular Cancer in Populations with Viral Hepatitis B: an Appraisal of Thai Reports. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2005; 6(4): 535-536.
)