Really there i no good serological markers for suspecting the presence of an HCC. The best way is to perform abdominal ultrasound in special risk patients as are cirrhotic patients
Sensibility of both markers is low. However, the combination of the two increases, in some way, sensibility (they partially overlap). There are other things to consider: only AFP > 200ng/ml suggests the presence of HCC; des-gamma carboxy-prothrombin becomes positive only when HCC nodules become larger than 2 cm; most recent guidelines do not advice to evaluate AFP for HCC screening.
DR Michele...can we search for serum markers of surface receptors of HCC as early predictors?
Actually, for clinical purposes, ultrasound examination every 3 months is considered the best way to identify early HCC.
Annexin A2 is a good marker comparable to AFP, but still AFP level and ultrasound every 3 months is recommended.
There is actually not any good tumor marker for early detection of HCC. The US examination every 6 months is the usual clinical recommendation used for screening
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