Demographic, etiological, clinical features, and laboratory features of hepatocellular carcinoma; a single center experience

Abstract

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is our country's most commonly encountered cancer. This study examined demographic, etiologic, clinical characteristics, and biochemical and serological findings of patients with HCC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 207 HCC patients followed by gastroenterology and medical oncology departments. Results: It was established that, in the demographic analysis, HCC was more common in the elderly population, especially in men. The positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen rate was 65.5%, anti-delta was 2%, and hepatitis C virus antibody was determined to be 15%. The rate of alcohol users was 11.1%, and that of tobacco users was 68.2%. Serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were above average in 75.6%, 86.3%, and 72.6% of patients, respectively. Approximately 63% of patients had cirrhosis at presentation. Ultrasonography (USG) was the primary diagnostic method in 57% of the patients. Histopathological diagnosis was made by ultrasound-guided biopsy in 67.6% of the patients. Conclusion: Chronic hepatitis B was the most common etiological factor for HCC, and chronic hepatitis C was observed at a significant rate of %15. The majority of the patients developed HCC on the cirrhotic ground. Most of the patients had high levels of AFP. In 58% of patients, the tumor was located in the right lobe. Routine liver tests and clinical findings varied. Radiologically, it was concluded that USG, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques were complementary and equivalent methods in terms of tumor diameter.

Keywords

• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Hepatitis B virus
• Hepatitis C virus
• Alpha-fetoprotein

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