[Serum alpha-fetoprotein in liver cirrhosis]

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been determined in 86 cirrhotic patients who simultaneously underwent a complete clinical and analytical evaluation. 25.6% of patients had increased levels (19.1% of Child A, 21.9% of B and 33.3% of C) without any significative differences between Child groups. A correlation between AFP and some analytical findings has been found, being GPT included among the latter (r = 0.24, p = 0.023). No correlation has been found with different laboratory and clinical data. Our data suggest that hepatocyte lesion and/or regeneration play a role in the raise of AFP, although other mechanisms must be implied. Extremely high values, especially with a non active cirrhosis, hardly could be attribute to it, that is why AFP is still a good marker of malignant degeneration in these patients.