الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a global health problem. It is the sixth most common solid tumor worldwide and the fourth cause of cancer-related mortality. In Egypt it represents 75% of malignant liver tumors. Early detection and diagnosis of these cases is required for successful treatments and improved outcomes.
Galectin-3 expression was involved in the tumor progression and related to the tumor prognosis of HCC. It was found that focal regenerating nodules of cirrhotic tissue also express galectin-3. Normal hepatocytes do not express galectin-3 but this protein can be present in HCC.
The need for a more sensitive and accurate marker for detection and prognosis of HCC on top of HCV infection, has led to the emergence of various tumor biomarkers. Several studies have shown that Galectin-3 may act as a prognostic biomarker in these cases. The aim of the present work was to assess serum levels Galectin-3 in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and HCC.
This study included 160 patients divided into 4 groups, group 1: 40 HCC patients on top of chronic viral hepatitis, group 2: 40 cirrhotic patients on top of chronic viral hepatitis, group 3: 40 chronic viral hepatitis patients, and group 4: 40 healthy controls.
All subjects were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical evaluation. Laboratory investigations were done for all subjects, including routine laboratory investigations, viral markers (HCV Ab and HBs Ag), and tumor markers (serum AFP and Galectin-3 levels). Abdominal US was performed for HCC, cirrhotic and HCV groups, while triphasic CT was performed to assess the characteristics of HCC. Hepatocellular carcinoma patients were classified into stage A, B, C and D using Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system.
Serum Galectin-3 level in patients with HCC was significantly higher than in chronic viral hepatitis and control groups.
The sensitivity and specificity of serum Galectin-3 level as a marker for HCC had been determined by plotting a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. At the cut-off value >211.8 pg/ml, the sensitivity of serum Galectin-3 had been estimated to be 90.0% while its specificity had been shown to be 77.5%.