What is the main tumor marker associated with hepatocellular carcinoma?

The main tumor marker associated with hepatocellular carcinoma is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). AFP is a glycoprotein produced primarily by the fetal liver, and its levels can significantly increase in the presence of liver disease, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma. It is commonly used in clinical practice to help diagnose and monitor treatment response in patients with liver cancer. Elevated AFP levels can indicate not only the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma but also assist in determining prognosis and surveillance for recurrence after treatment.

In contrast, CA-125 is mainly associated with ovarian cancer, prostate-specific antigen is primarily utilized in the screening and monitoring of prostate cancer, and beta-hCG is more relevant in cases of testicular cancer and trophoblastic diseases. Understanding the specific roles of various tumor markers helps clinicians in the appropriate management and diagnosis of different malignancies.