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The value of tumour marker kinetics in the management of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Buamah P. K.,
James O. F. W.,
Skillen A. W.,
Harris A. L.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930370305
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , medicine , alpha fetoprotein , gastroenterology , carcinoma , oncology , tumor marker , chemotherapy , cancer
Serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) has been measured during chemotherapy of ten patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Whenever the AFP concentration of a sample was lower than that of the previous sample the apparent half‐life (AHL) of the protein was calculated. The biological half‐life of AFP is 5 days so that values in excess of this were indicative of continuing or increased synthesis and secretion of AFP. The AHL for AFP provided a means of assessing efficacy of treatment. Increases in AHL generally predicted a rise in serum AFP and give advance warning of the need to change therapy.