Evaluation of CA 125 as a serum marker of hepatocellular carcinoma

Serum CA 125 concentrations were raised in 90.4% of 115 southern African black patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Seventy‐four percent of 62 patients with amebic hepatic abscess, 60% of 40 patients with chronic hepatic parenchymal disease (chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis), and 60.9% of 41 patients with acute viral hepatitis also had raised values. The median serum CA 125 concentration for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma differed significantly from the benign hepatic disease groups analysed ( p < 0.0002). Serum alphafetoprotein levels were raised in 90.4% of the 115 hepatocellular carcinoma patients. CA 125 is thus a highly sensitive marker for hepatocellular carcinoma, but lacks specificity.