الفهرس 
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary malignancy of the liver. Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma remains a key goal in improving the poor prognosis of this form of liver cancer. Identifying hepatocellular carcinoma at an early stage is often associated with having better treatment options for patients. AFP and ultrasonography play a limited role in screening of HCC. Some candidate biomarkers can be used in diagnosis of HCC including glybican-3 (Gpc-3). Radiofrequency is minimally invasive new technique of treatment of small HCC under radiological guidance. Radiofrequency is superior to ethanol injection in treatment of small HCC with few complications. Our aim was to identify the role of Gpc-3 in early diagnosis of HCC among HCV patients and its role in monitoring treatment response of HCC.
We recruited 50 HCC patients before and after receiving radiofrequency treatment with three different groups: one consisted of 30 healthy subjects as a control group, one consisted of 30 CHC patients without HCC and the other consisted of 30 LC patients without HCC. Venous blood samples were taken from all four groups to assess complete blood picture, liver function test, serum alpha-fetoprotein and serum glybican-3.
Our results showed that patients of HCC had higher levels of AFP and Gpc-3 compared to control groups. After radiofrequency treatment for HCC patients there was significant decrease in Gpc-3 levels than its levels before treatment.
Our study showed that serum GPC3 level was significantly elevated in patients with early and advanced HCC, but were rarely detectable in patients with non-malignant chronic liver disease and healthy controls. We also found that serum GPC3 can diagnose small HCC with better sensitivity compared to larger size HCC , thus improve the outcome of these patients
Conclusion: Serum GPC3 could be a potential serum marker due to its high sensitivity and specificity in early detection of HCC. The combined use of both serum GPC3 and AFP provides a promising battery of tumor markers for differentiation of HCC from benign chronic liver diseases and early detection of small and HCC. It also can predict the response to treatment of HCC after RFA.