Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-VIDIGAL, F. F.; BAZ, M. J.; ROMERO, J.  and  PUERTO, M. del. Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in a rural area: Role of hepatotrophic viruses on survival. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2005, vol.22, n.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.

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

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