What do the three tumor markers for liver cancer mean?

The three tumor markers for liver cancer include AFP, AFP-L3% and DCP, which are helpful for screening early liver cancer. 1. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): AFP is the most widely used serologic indicator. However, AFP has the problem of low sensitivity and specificity in liver cancer screening, and new serologic indexes are needed to supplement the deficiency of AFP. 2. Alpha-fetoprotein isoform ratio (AFP-L3%): AFP-L3% is derived from cancerous hepatocytes and is an AFP highly correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma, with a specificity of up to 95% for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. About 30% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have normal AFP. Detection of alpha-fetoprotein heterodimer can be combined with detection of abnormal prothrombin, etc. 3. Abnormal prothrombinogen (DCP, also known as PIVKA-II): Vitamin K deficiency or antagonist-II induced protein (PIVKA-II), also known as abnormal prothrombinogen (DCP), was identified as a tumor marker for liver cancer as early as 1984. Other tumor markers include carcinoembryonic antigen and CA199, which should be considered comprehensively for liver cancer screening. Patients are advised to go to regular hospitals for consultation and active diagnosis and treatment.