Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Attending NORI

Objective: To note clinical and investigational characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC) patients presenting at Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI). Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of study: NORI, from January 2009 to April 2010. Material and Methods: Record of patients presenting with the diagnosis of HCC was retrieved to note characteristics of HCC patients in terms of age, gender, symptoms, viral marker status, imaging findings, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels, histopathology of liver biopsy, and TNM staging. Obtained data were described descriptively. Results: One hundred and fourteen patients were included. Of these 74.6% were male and 25.4% female. Mean patient age was 56.4±10.25 years. Mass abdomen was main presenting complaint in 95.6% patients. 44.7% patients were anti HCV antibodies positive, 13.1% HBsAg positive, and 4.3% both anti HCV antibody and HBsAg positive. Ultrasound and CT scan were suggestive of HCC in 96.4% and 63.1% patients respectively. In 72.8% patients AFP levels were elevated above baseline. 42.1% patients had biopsy proven HCC. Most of the patients were in TNM stage II, and IIIA. Conclusion: HCC is common in middle age males. Most of these patients are anti HCV antibody positive, have elevation of AFP levels, and are in TNM stage II, or IIIA.