Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), Where do we stand? Current situation.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern.
• Early detection and staging are crucial for effective HCC management.
• Understanding the etiological factors and patient presentation is key to improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the stage of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) at the time of patient presentation.
• To analyze the etiological factors and previous treatment history of HCC patients.
• To correlate clinical and etiological factors with HCC staging.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study involving 135 HCC patients.
• Diagnosis confirmed using alpha fetoprotein, ultrasound, and CECT scans.
• Staging performed using Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and Melan's criteria, with performance status assessed by ECOG and cirrhosis severity by CTP and MELD scores.

Main Results:

• The majority of patients (55.2%) presented at BCLC stage B, with ECOG grade 1 (39.3%).
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was the predominant etiology (80%), followed by Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (11%).
• A significant proportion (73.8%) had no prior treatment for hepatitis, and 62.3% were diagnosed with HCC during their index admission.

Conclusions:

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, particularly in patients with a history of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
• Lack of prior treatment for underlying hepatitis contributes to late presentation and limited therapeutic choices.
• Timely diagnosis and intervention are critical for improving survival rates in HCC patients.