Investigations of a screening test for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Iwamura, K.
Materia Medica Polona. Polish Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy 17(4): 232-239
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-5246 PMID: 3010005 Document Number: 257926
In Japan, most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are associated with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, we must carefully consider the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in cases where liver cirrhosis can be diagnosed. Among 345 cases of liver cirrhosis, in whom the diagnosis was made laparoscopically and histologically in the past seven years and the clinical course was observed for at least one year after initial diagnosis, hepatocellular carcinoma developed in twenty-five patients, in whom alpha-fetoprotein in the serum, sonography, scintigraphy, computed tomography, selective angiography and sonography guided or laparoscopy guided needle biopsy of the liver were utilized regularly after initial diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Based on the author's own experience, the author wishes to stress that the combination of sonography, scintigraphy, computed tomography and selective angiography can contribute to early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma occurring in patients with liver cirrhosis. In addition to the fact, thirty-three out of the 320 remaining patients with liver cirrhosis died mainly to cirrhotic troubles and at the time of autopsy, no malignant change of the liver could be found in these thirty-three cases. Since no malignant changes could be recognized at the time of autopsy, it can be said that the author's prospective investigation seemed to be reasonable.