Characteristics Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Bangladesh and their Public Health Implications

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In spite of being a common cancer, little is known about clinical presentation, etiological factors and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Bangladesh. Accordingly, early detection and efficient management of HCC is not available at this country. Materials and methods: Demographical data, etiological factors and clinical presentations of 57 consecutive patients with HCC were analyzed prospectively at the only medical university of Bangladesh. Results: Ninety-one percent patients with HCC were male. The mean age of HCC patients was 45.8 years (standard deviation: 15.3 years; range: 18-75 years). All patients were symptomatic when they first appeared to the physicians, and many of them were unaware that they had been suffering from liver diseases. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 62% and antibody to hepatitis C virus was found in 6% patients with HCC. Most of the patients with HCC had liver cirrhosis (77%). Single HCC nodule was detected in 61% patients. Sixty-four percent patients had intermediate stage of liver cancer. Conclusion: Containment of HCC-related morbidity and mortality and better prognosis of HCC in Bangladesh depends on early diagnosis of hepatitis viruses.