AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: To assess if detection of HCC by AFP was futile with regard to treatment options, specific treatments actually received for HCC were compared: 44% (27/61, 95% CI: 32%-57%) of patients with HCC detected by US were offered a potentially curative therapy (either resection, RFA or liver transplantation) compared to 35% (17/49, 95% CI:22%-48%) of patients with AFP detection (Fig 1e and S1 Table); 23% and 33% respectively were offered best supportive care; 29% and 35% received transarterial chemo-embolization with doxorubicin/lipiodol (TACE) monotherapy, often in repeated sessions.