Characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study


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Guzelbulut F., KARAOĞULLARINDAN Ü., Akkiz H., Altintas E., DEMİRTAŞ C. Ö., Bahadir O., ...More

Hepatology Forum, vol.3, no.3, pp.71-76, 2022 (Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 3 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.14744/hf.2022.2022.0028
  • Journal Name: Hepatology Forum
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.71-76
  • Keywords: Clinical characteristics, etiology, hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by underlying cause and deter-mine the characteristics and clinical features of patients with HCC. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 1802 HCC patients diagnosed and followed up by Liver Diseases Outpatient Clinics in 14 tertiary centers in Turkey between 2001 and 2020. Results: The mean age was 62.3±10.7 years, and 78% of them were males. Of the patients, 82% had cirrhosis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was the most common etiology (54%), followed by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (19%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (10%). Of the patients, 56% had a single lesion. Macrovascular invasion and extra-hepatic spread were present in 15% and 12% of the patients, respectively. The median serum alpha-fetoprotein level was 25.4 ng/mL. In total, 39% of the patients fulfilled the Milan Criteria. When we compared the characteristics of patients diagnosed before and after January 2016, the proportion of NAFLD-related HCC cases increased after 2016, from 6.6% to 13.4%. Conclusion: Chronic HBV and HCV infections remain the main causes of HCC in Turkey. The importance of NAFLD as a cause of HCC is increasing.