The utility of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: evaluation in a United States referral population.

Background & Aims: The percentage of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive (alpha)-fetoprotein (AFP-L3%) is proposed as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the utility of AFP-L3% for diagnosis of HCC in a US referral population.

Methods: This retrospective study included 272 patients: 166 with HCC and 106 with benign liver disease (chronic liver disease, 77; benign liver mass, 29).