Could serum serotonin be used as a marker for portal vein invasion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma?

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma represents the sixth and the fourth cause of cancer in the world and Egypt, respectively. In Egypt, HCC mortality and morbidity is high. Serotonin is a precious neurotransmitter and vascular viable molecule. Serotonin plays an important role in hepatocytes mitosis and tumor genesis leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim of Work: To investigate if serum serotonin can be used as a marker for portal vein invasion in patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Cross-sectionla analytic study was performed in Suez Canal University Hospitals. The study included 90 participants; 10 normal healthy control individuals and 80 chronic liver disease patients divided into four groups ( 20 cirrhotic; 20 early HCC; 20 advanced HCC and 20 ablated HCC). All study groups were subjected to  the following; history, clinical examination, and investigations including hematological, biochemical, serum Alpha fetoprotein and Serotonin levels) with pelviabdominal ultrasound and Triphasic computerized tomography. Results: Portal Vein Thrombosis (PVT), abnormal liver function tests, and AFP were positively correlate with serum serotonin level. In comparison between study groups, mean serum serotonin level was (117±84, 693±65,1613±37) for patients with normal, dilated, and portal vein invasion respectively with a statistically significant difference ( p value <0.001).