Hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C in Mexico

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased in many countries as a result of an increased frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In Mexico, the association of HCC to HCV infection has not been evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological factors related to HCC in Mexican patients as well as the results of treatment.

A retrospective review of clinical files of patients with HCC diagnosed between May 1992 to July 2002 was performed.

There were 63 males and 64 females with a median age of 57 years (range 17-82). Seventy-one patients were evaluated for hepatitis status. In 43 (60%) HCV was the etiological factor. Isolated HCV infection was present in 32 (45%), HCV infection and ethanol abuse was observed in 11 (15.5%). In six (8.4%) patients hepatitis B was the etiological factor. HCV and HBV infection were found in 9 (12.6%). HCV and HBV infection associated to ethanol abuse was present in one patient. Ethanol abuse alone was observed in six (8.4%) patients. The median size of the lesion was 8cm (range 3-20cm). Alpha-fetoprotein was measured in 113 patients and was higher than 500ng/dL in 60 (53%). Sixty-five patients received supportive measures. Sixty-two were treated. Eighteen were resected. Thirteen were treated with intraoperative large volume ethanol injection (ILVEI), 12 with chemotherapy and 19 with tamoxifen-talidomide. Patients without treatment had a median survival time of 11 months and patients who received treatment had a median survival time of 25.3 months. The median survival time in patients who received surgery was 26 months, the ILVEI group survival time was 18 months, the chemotherapy survival was 8.8 months, and the tamoxifen-talidomide survival time was 7 months.

HCC is a rare neoplasm in Mexico and HCV infection is the main etiological factor. Surgical resection is the best form of treatment of HCC in our country. However, only 14% of the patients were candidates. For non-resectable lesions, ILVEI offers the best palliative results in our center.