ASO Author Reflections: Tumor Marker Score Based on Conventional Tumor Markers (AFP, CEA, and CA19-9) Predicts Prognosis Well for cHCC-CC Patients After Surgery

Excerpt

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare subtype of primary liver cancer (PLC) that combines features of hepatocytic differentiation and cholangiocytic differentiation within the same tumor. The prevalence, etiology, clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment strategies of cHCC-CC remain poorly researched. In 2010, cHCC-CC was incorporated into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) TNM stage by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC); however, a previous study found that the recommended stage had inferior prognostic value to HCC TNM stage and failed to classify patients into groups of statistically significant prognosis.1 Meanwhile, conventional tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], α-fetoprotein [AFP], and carbohydrate antigen [CA] 19-9) were revealed to be associated with cHCC-CC prognosis.2,3 …