Which marker is commonly elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma?

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the marker commonly elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AFP is produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac and it is typically elevated in certain liver conditions, particularly in the setting of HCC. In adults, significantly high levels of AFP can indicate the presence of liver cancer, especially when other risk factors such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis are present.

While Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 are markers associated with other types of cancers (such as colorectal and pancreatic cancers, respectively), they do not have a strong correlation with hepatocellular carcinoma. Calcitonin is primarily associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma and does not play a role in liver cancer diagnosis. Thus, the elevation of AFP is specifically significant for HCC, making it the correct choice in this context.