25 Maart 1978 SA MEDIESE TYDSKRIF 433 Alpha-Fetoprotein in Liver Disease

The serum concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured by radio-immunoassay in 98 patients with liver disease including hepatoma, chronic active hepatitis, alco-holic cirrhosis, and acute virus B hepatitis. Raised AFP levels, above 30 ng/ml, were found in 87 % of patients with acute viral hepatitis, in 82 % of patients with primary liver cell carcinoma, in 58 % with chronic active hepatitis and in 14 % of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. However, levels above 1 000 nglml were found only in patients with hepatoma and in acute viral hepatitis. blished on clinical and biochemical grounds. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen was established by the counter immuno-electrophoresis technique.s The clinical diagnosis of hepatoma was always sup-ported by arteriography, liver scanning and histological examination. Alcoholic cirrhosis was diagnosed if the history indicated prolonged alcohol abuse, and if clinical evidence of cirrhosis and portal hypertension was found on examination. Histological confirmation was obtained when the prothrombin index and platelet count permitted biopsy. The 'diagnosis of chronic active hepatitis was confirmed histologically in every case