Background and study aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. AFP is the gold standard tumor marker for HCC, mean platelet volume (MPV) is a parameter obtained from complete blood count (CBC) by automated analyzers, shown to be increased in multiple malignancies and inflammatory conditions. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of MPV and MPV/ platelet count (PC) ratio in HCC patients due to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty subjects enrolled in this study, they were divided into 4 equal groups: group I included 30 healthy subjects (control group), group II included 30 patients with chronic viral hepatitis without cirrhosis, group III included 30 cirrhotic patients without HCC and group IV included 30 cirrhotic patients with HCC.MPV, MPV/PC ratio & AFP were evaluated in all groups. Triphasic CT was done for patients of group IV to confirm the diagnosis of HCC. Liver biopsy was done for patients of group II to confirm the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C.
Results: MPV showed higher levels in HCC group compared to control, CHC, and cirrhotic groups with p value( |
