Prognostic significance of combined α-fetoprotein and CA19-9 for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies considerably among patients with the same disease stage and characteristics, and only about two thirds show high levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP), a common prognostic indicator for HCC. Here, we assessed whether the combination of presurgical serum levels of AFP and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) can predict the prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy.

Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics and post-hepatectomy outcomes of 711 HCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were classified into three groups based on whether their preoperative serum levels of both AFP and CA19-9 were higher than the respective cut-offs of 400 ng/ml and 37 U/ml [double positive (DP)], the level of only one marker was higher than the cut-off [single positive (SP)], or neither level was higher than the cut-off [negative (N)]. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify the clinicopathological factors significantly associated with HCC prognosis.

Results: The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year RFS and OS rates in the N group were significantly higher than those in the SP group, while the DP group showed the lowest rates. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that large tumor size (> 5 cm), multiple tumors (≥ 2), incomplete tumor capsule, positive microvascular invasion, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer C stage, and CA19-9 level > 37 U/mL were independent risk factors for RFS and OS in HCC patients. Moreover, aspartate aminotransferase levels > 40 U/L proved to be an independent prognostic factor for OS.

Conclusion: The combination of serum AFP and CA19-9 levels may be a useful prognostic marker for HCC patients after hepatectomy.