RODRIGUEZ-VIDIGAL, F. F.; BAZ, M. J.; ROMERO, J.    PUERTO, M. del. Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in a rural area: Role of hepatotrophic viruses on survival. []. , 22, 4, pp.10-14. ISSN 0212-7199.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C and B are the main causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. It is not clear whether chronic hepatitis C or B virus (HCV or HBV) infection is a prognostic factor for HCC. This study aimed to asses epidemiology of HCC in a rural area and to determine if chronic HCV or HBV infection had any impact on survival after the diagnosis of HCC. Material and methods: Fifty-one consecutive patients were retrospectively studied. All of them were diagnosed of HCC between january 1994 and december 2002 in a First Level Hospital. The following variables were analysed: age, sex, HCV and HBV infection, chronic alcohol abuse (daily intake upper 80 g), clinical presentation, Child stage, number ol liver nodules, therapeutic options and survival. Results: The mean age at diagnosis of HCC was 68,5 years old (age range 45-90) and 45 patients (88,6%) were male. Heavy alcohol intake (66%) and chronic HCV infection (42,8%) were the most prevalent etiologic factors. Chronic HBV was found in 11,9%. Chronic HCV or HBV infection was present in 48,9%. Twenty-five percent were asymptomatic and 66% were in Child stage A. The rate single lesion / multilobular HCC was 52/48. Only 6% of all patients could be treated with a curative intention. The mean survival was 10,9 ± 9,1 months, and there were no differences in age, sex, Child stage and number of nodules. There was a significantly higher survival in patients with chronic HCV or HBV infection (16,7 ± 13,1 months versus 4,75 ± 5,3 months in seronegative patients; p=0.02). On multivariate analysis, only chronic HCV or HBV infection was associated with survival longer than 10 months (OR 22,3; CI 95% 1,8-277,9). Conclusions: In our area, heavy alcohol abuse and HCV infection were the most prevalent etiologic factors of HCC. Chronic HCV or HBV infection was associated with longer survival in patientes with HCC.

: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis B virus; Survival.

        · |     · |     · ( pdf )