ContributorsGIW wrote and revised the manuscript in response to co-author comments. He finalized all the figures and tables, performed the literature search, and assisted with data interpretation. HJK critically reviewed the manuscript and made important suggestions to improve it. He assisted with data interpretation. IBA performed the data analysis, constructed the figures and tables, and made important suggestions to improve the manuscript. H-CK assisted with the data analysis and also reviewed the manuscript. GRC critically reviewed the manuscript and made important suggestions to improve it. He assisted with data interpretation. All other authors were given the opportunity to review the manuscript and make suggestions which GIW received, either revising the paper or providing explanations. All who are not deceased were involved with approval of the manuscript.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common cause of primary liver neoplasms and is one of the main causes of death in patients with liver cirrhosis. High Alpha fetoprotein serum levels have been found in 60-70% of patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma; nevertheless, there are other causes that increase this protein. Alpha fetoprotein levels ≥200 and 400 ng/mL in patients with an identifiable liver mass by imaging techniques are diagnostic of hepatocellular carcinoma with high specificity.

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Objective:To determine the clinical and laboratory features, malignancy, outcome and their association in a Hispanic mestizo population with Inflammatory Idiopathic Myopathies (IIM). Material and methods:The medical records of Hispanic mestizo patients with dermatomyositis, polymyositis or overlap syndrome from a single center were reviewed. Several variables were studied with emphasis on malignancy. Results:We report the clinical and laboratorial features of 118 patients with IIM; the female to male ratio was 2.3:1. Elevated CK, proximal weakness, compatible biopsy and elevated LDH were the most frequent findings. Malignancy was found in 9,3%, gynecological tumors were the most common (55%). Mortality was 10.2%, mainly related to infections and respiratory failure. Conclusions:The overall rate of malignancy in this large series of patients with IIM was 9.3%. The majority of our patients reached a good outcome. No risk factors for malignancy were found.