Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide health problem. It is considered the second most common cause of cancer-associated fatalities and it is the fifth major cause of cancer all over the world. This variance between occurrence and fatality ensures that it is an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis .
aim of the study The aim of this work is to study the role of Liver fatty acid binding protein ( L-FABP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as diagnostic and prognostic marker compared to Alpha-feto protein (AFP).
Methods: This study was conducted on 100 patients attending Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases in Benha University Hospitals as across sectional study. All studied subjects were classified into three groups; Human fatty acid-binding protein and alpha fetoprotein were assessed in patients, all laboratory investigations were done.
Results: the results of the study revealed that L-FABP level was significantly higher in LC and HCC when compared to control groups. Moreover, it was higher in HCC when compared to LC groups
Fair AUC was found for L- FABP (AUC = 0.715, p=0.001). Best cut off values were 214 ng/mL at which, sensitivity was 60%, specificity was 77.5%, PPV was 72.7, NPV was 66%.
Conclusion: L-FABP level showed significant positive correlation with multiplicity
L-FABP was the only predictor for multiplicity and this indicate poor prognosis.