CHARACTERISTICS AND RISK FACTORS FOR PRIMARY HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Abstract

Background: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy. Aim: To identify the clinical characteristics of patients with HCC and the factors for its occurrence. Methods: A total of 110 hospitalized patients with HCC was investigated. Histological diagnosis of underlying liver disease was done in 93 patients. Biochemical and hematological parameters were obtained by routine biochemical and hematological techniques. Serum markers for hepatitis B and C viruses and autoantibodies were determined. SPSS version 17.0 was used for statistical analyses and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Patients were aged from 48 to 82 years (65,8 ± 7). Males dominated (74 pts). Solitary HCC pattern was observed in 87 patients. Viral etiology was proven in 61 patients while alcoholic liver disease was detected in 21 patients. Increased AFP values (≥ 20 ng/ml) were obtained in 88 pts; values ≥200 ng/ml in 71 pts, and values ≥400 ng/ ml in 57 pts. The clinical presentation was dominated by fatigue, gynecomastia, and bone aches. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus type 2 (53 pts), chronic cardiomyopathy/arterial hypertension (48 pts), and obesity (29 pts). Comparison of patients with and without cirrhosis (66/110) showed no difference in age, gender, tumor pattern, and AFP values ≥20 ng/ml. Those from the first group had higher AFP, larger solitary tumors, greater liver damage and more pronounced clinical symptoms. Conclusions: HCC is mostly detected in liver cirrhosis. Other risk factors include hepatitis B and C viruses, heavy alcohol abuse, older age, male gender, metabolic and chronic cardiovascular diseases. © 2024 by Acta Medica Saliniana.