Serum ferritin in hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of HCC is crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.
• Biomarkers play a vital role in the diagnostic process for various cancers, including HCC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of serum ferritin levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To assess the effectiveness of combining serum ferritin with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for HCC detection.
• To investigate the correlation between serum ferritin, AFP, and disease stage in HCC patients.

Main Methods:

• Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum ferritin levels in 142 HCC patients.
• Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were also measured for comparison and combination analysis.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine diagnostic accuracy and correlations between markers and disease stage.

Main Results:

• Elevated serum ferritin levels (greater than ng/ml) were observed in 38% of HCC patients.
• Serum ferritin alone had limited diagnostic value for early-stage HCC (Stage 1).
• Combining serum ferritin and AFP measurements increased the overall correct diagnosis rate to 92.3%, compared to AFP alone (83.8%) or ferritin alone (38%).
• Serum ferritin was helpful in detecting HCC in patients with non-elevated AFP levels (50% of cases with AFP < 500 ng/ml had elevated ferritin).
• No significant correlation was found between serum ferritin and HBsAg status.

Conclusions:

• Serum ferritin alone is not a satisfactory indicator for early-stage HCC detection.
• The combination of serum ferritin and AFP measurements significantly enhances the diagnostic accuracy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Serum ferritin estimation can be a valuable tool for identifying HCC in patients with normal or low AFP levels, aiding in earlier detection and management.