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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common hepatic malignancy worldwide. Its nature of rapid growth results in a grave prognosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a mitogen for hepatocytes, responsible for their proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic roles of serum HGF in untreated HCC patients.

Fifty-five patients with inoperable HCC were studied. The diagnosis of HCC was based on either liver histopathology or imaging evidence of a liver mass, together with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein. Serum HGF levels of the patients, at the time of diagnosis, were compared to those of 28 healthy controls. All patients received only palliative treatments and were followed up until they died. Comparison of survival curves between patients with a serum HGF level of 1.0 ng/ml or more and those with …