blood test markers for HCC - AFP, CEA

[JackABCD]

I am suspected for HCC due to Ultrasound,
Fibroscan is relatively ok (said no cirrhosis).
AFP > 10,000, CRP went down from 10 onto 2 (I am sure that I had some infection),
CEA < 1.8
What do this markers can say about HCC presence ?

[JackABCD]

My Fibroscan results from Nov-2020 is F2-F3.

[flyinlynn]

Which could be F2 F2.5 F3 or possibly higher or lower mid range Fibfisis scores from Fibroscan are less accurate.

F3 isn’t a good result people with F3 severe liver scarring should be tracked the same as those diagnosed as F4

“ Fibrosis score F0 to F1: No liver scarring or mild liver scarring
Fibrosis score F2: Moderate liver scarring
Fibrosis score F3: Severe liver scarring
Fibrosis score F4: Advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis)”

[flyinlynn]

But anyway no matter what the precise condition of your fibrosis status your AFP score of 100,000 and ultrasound results are concerning so your fibrosis score characterization is kind of a moot point.

Have you been scheduled for tests that will be able to determine what is actually going on? Have you been scheduled for either a CT scan or MRI? Only these tests or possibly a liver biopsy will be able to determine the status of your liver disease

[flyinlynn]

So you have t had a more recent fibrosis test? That was why I asked I do recall your test from last year was F2-F3

[flyinlynn]

Diagnosis of HCC often requires more sophisticated imaging modalities such as CT scan and MRI, which have multiphasic contrast enhancement capabilities. Serum AFP used alone can be helpful if levels are markedly elevated, which occurs in fewer than half of cases at time of diagnosis. Confirmation by liver biopsy can be performed under circumstances when the diagnosis of HCC remains unclear.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2023919/

[flyinlynn]

“ For a standard CRP test, a normal reading is less than 10 milligram per liter (mg/L). A test result showing a CRP level greater than 10 mg/L is a sign of serious infection, trauma or chronic disease, which likely will require further testing to determine the cause.”

Sounds like your result was high normal and this test is not related to cancer.

When is your CT scan or MRI scheduled?

Is your doctor a liver disease specialist?

[flyinlynn]

What was your Fibroscan score. F3 is close enough to be monitored in the same way as F4

Liver cancer can occur in people without F4 cirrhosis

[flyinlynn]

I looked up CEA also as I’ve never had that test either

“ Doctors don't use the CEA test to make a first-time diagnosis of cancer. This test isn't an accurate way to screen for it because many other diseases can cause the levels of this protein to rise. And some people with cancer don't have high CEA levels.”

https://www.healthline.com/health/cea

[flyinlynn]

I wasn’t familiar with CRP so I googled it

“ A high level of CRP in the blood is a marker of inflammation. It can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, from infection to cancer. High CRP levels can also indicate that there's inflammation in the arteries of the heart, which can mean a higher risk of heart attack.”

I don’t get that test.

In answer to your question about what the tests mean about the presence or absence of HCC I’m assuming your doctor has already told you that your result is indeterminate and more testing is needed

You answered your own question at this point you have suspected HCC based on your test results.

No one knows if you have HCC no one has odds of if you do or don’t at this point.

My CT test listed observing something called washout which can indicate HCC if it is present with other signs of HCC which were not present

Based on those findings there is a scale they used with 1 being definitely not cancer and 5 being definite liver cancer. My score on that scale was 3 indeterminate.

I guess though at this point it is better to be indeterminate than be told yes you do have liver cancer.

At this point we both can hope we do not have HCC until we have further testing to know for sure one way or the other.

Good luck