Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology
Open Access

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. The lack of efficient and precise HCC biomarkers prevents early detection resulting in a poor prognosis. Recently, mean platelet volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet count (PC) ratio have been proposed as potential markers of HCC. This study was carried out to verify MPV and MPV/PC ratio in diagnosis of HCC in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C related liver cirrhosis. One hundred and fifty chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or HCC were enrolled in the study. The levels of alpha-feto protein (AFP), MPV and MPV/PC ratio were determined compared to 50 healthy persons. MPV and MPV/CP ratios were higher in patients with cirrhosis and those with HCC. The cut off level for MPV for detection of HCC was 10.1 fl, with sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 57%. At a cut off level of 0.82, the sensitivity of MPV/CP ratio was 79.6% and specificity was 72.7%. AFP showed sensitivity 80% and specificity 82% at cut-off level of 16.9 ng/dl. MPV and MPV/PC ratios are less sensitive and specific than AFP as markers for HCC and they may be used only in association with other markers to improve sensitivity of tumor detection.

Biography

Gamal Y Abo-Raia is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology, Dept. of Clinical & Chemical Pathology, at National Liver Institute, Menoufia University. He is Director of Clinical Chemistry Unit at National Liver Institute lab. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals. He is a supervisor of more than 20 Master’s & Doctorate theses.

E-mail: dr_gamal_raia@yahoo.com