Clinical outcomes of patients with a high alpha-fetoprotein level but without evident recurrence on CT or MRI in surveillance after curative-intent treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

In the surveillance setting after curative-intent treatment of HCC, patients presenting with high posttreatment AFP without evident recurrence on CT or MRI may frequently progress to imaging-evident recurrence. In high-risk patients, an extensive diagnostic workup or close monitoring is needed to detect HCC recurrence earlier.