Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an increasing incidence worldwide. The
observation of neuroendocrine activity during the clinical course of HCC
suggested the use of neuroendocrine serum markers to detect it and elevated
serum chromogranin A (CgA) has been reported in patients with HCC.
Aim
To investigate the clinical utility of serum CgA, as a diagnostic marker of HCC.
Patients and methods
This studywasconductedon80patientswhowere classifiedintotwogroups.Group1:
the liver cirrhosis group which included 40 patients diagnosed by clinical settings,
laboratory criteria, and radiological methods. Group II: theHCCgroupwhich included
40 patients who were diagnosed by two appropriate imaging studies and serum
α-fetoprotein (AFP). They were recruited from Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and
Infectious Diseases Department, Benha University Hospital. Liver function tests
(aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and serum
albumin) by colorimetric assay, CgA (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and
AFP (by immunometric assay) were estimated.
Results
CgA levels were significantly higher in group II (HCC patients) when compared with
group I (cirrhotic patients) (P