Discriminant analysis in the clinical and biochemical diagnosis of primary liver cancer

Discriminant analysis was used in evaluating the importance of clinical aspects and the value of routine and experimental biochemical markers in the differential diagnosis of primary liver cancer (PLC) and chronic, non-neoplastic, liver diseases. Our results show that: 1) Clinical signs, such as the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of medicine Vol. 17; no. 5-6; p. 347
Main Authors Farinati, F, Varnier, M, Piccoli, A, Caldironi, M W, Zotti, S, Plebani, M, Di Mario, F, Naccarato, R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 1986
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Alkaline Phosphatase - analysis
alpha-Fetoproteins - analysis
Body Weight
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnosis
Computers
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Hepatitis - diagnosis
Humans
Isoenzymes - analysis
Liver Cirrhosis - diagnosis
Liver Diseases - diagnosis
Liver Neoplasms - diagnosis
Male
Middle Aged
Pain
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Summary:Discriminant analysis was used in evaluating the importance of clinical aspects and the value of routine and experimental biochemical markers in the differential diagnosis of primary liver cancer (PLC) and chronic, non-neoplastic, liver diseases. Our results show that: 1) Clinical signs, such as the presence of pain, weight loss or mass, correctly indicate the diagnosis in 76% of the cases; 2) The determination of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes is shown by the computer to be the most useful marker and provides an overall diagnostic accuracy which is higher than that of alpha-fetoprotein. We also found that, by using these two markers together, "by intersection," the best overall accuracy (85%) is obtained. We, therefore, suggest determination of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and alpha-fetoprotein in screening the populations at risk for liver cancer.
ISSN:0025-7850