AFP and neoplasm: Recognising the crucial importance of early diagnosis for the implementation of potentially curative therapy, most international guidelines suggest that patients at high HCC risk (Omata et al, 2010; Bruix and Sherman, 2011; For Research, EO and Liver, EAFTSOT, 2012; Song et al, 2012) are screened by six monthly ultrasound (US) examinations with or without the serum tumour marker α-fetoprotein (AFP).