AFP - L3% and DCP as Screening Marker for a Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Cirrhosis of the Liver

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the tumors with a rising incidence worldwide. The aim of this trial is to improve the detection of early HCC nodules in the liver. At the moment screening for HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis is performed by ultrasound and measurement of alpha- fetoprotein (AFP). In this trail the tumor markers AFP- L3 (a subfraction of AFP) and Des-y- carboxyprothromib (DCP) are measured in addition in order to receive information about the course of these markers before the detection of a HCC nodule.