Are both PIVKA-II and alpha-fetoprotein necessary in follow-up management after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma?
GROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to clarify the need for measuring of PIVKA-II (protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II) and alpha-fetoprotein as the prognostic indicator for patients after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as the monitoring modality for early detection of recurrence after hepatic resection. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and thirty-one patients who underwent planned liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma were studied. RESULTS: The survival rates in patients positive for preoperative tumor markers were significantly lower than in those in the negative patients. The first modality leading to the diagnosis of recurrence was measurement of alpha-fetoprotein and/or PIVKA-II in 25 cases (55.6%). Almost all patients (96.6%) with positive preoperative alpha-fetoprotein and recurrence had elevated alpha-fetoprotein again when recurrence was found. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PIVKA-II and/or alpha-fetoprotein levels can predict postoperative
