The response of a hepatocellular carcinoma to therapy can be described based on changes in its size and serum levels of tumor markers. These criteria are those used by the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Group.
Tumor Size
Serum AFP Levels
Response
no tumor evident
normal
complete
decrease in at least 1 dimension with none increasing (shrinkage)
decreasing
partial
no change in tumor volume
unchanged
stable
increase in 1 or more dimensions, OR appearance of new lesions
increasing
progressive
where:
• An increasing AFP was not listed in the criteria, but seems appropriate.
• It could be confusing when 1 dimension decreases while another increases. Thus measurement of tumor volume might be a more reliable parameter to measure.
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