Khalid Shabbir, Nadeem Zia, Sajid Ghafoor, Faiz Rasool.
Gamut of hepatocellular carcinoma at Oncology Department, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahimyar Khan.
J Sheikh Zayed Med Coll Jan ;2(3):193-5.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is ranked as third most cause of death from cancer in world. Objective: The objective of this study was to review predisposing factors among patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at a tertiary care centre in past two years. Material & Methods: This Descriptive study was conducted on patients who had proven HCC by histopathology or tumor marker were reviewed retrospectively and data for January 2009 to December 2010 was included. Demographic features were noted and positivity for hepatitis serology, presence of cirrhosis, level of alpha-fetoprotein, tumour size and distribution of liver lesions were noted. Results: A total of 192 patients were found to have histopathology and tumor marker proven HCC. Males were 149 (77.6%) vs females 43 (22.4%). Hepatitis B surface antigen was noted to be positive in 27(14%) patients, and HCV was found to be positive in 138 (72%) patients. Patients with dual hepatitis (HBV+HCV) were 16 (08%) & in remaining 11 (06%) patients the etiology was unknown. Alpha fetoprotein level was highly elevated in 154 (84%) & Cirrhosis was noted in 134 (70%) patients. 117 (61%) patients had multicentric distribution. Conclusion: Hepatocellular carcinoma in this area, is related to hepatitis C virus infection in majority of the patients. A large number have underlying cirrhosis, multicentric and advanced disease at presentation. The disease is seen in the 5th and 6th decade & predominantly among males.

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