A STUDY OF THE CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN ILORIN
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Date
2020
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The Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN)
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and the sixth most
common cancer worldwide. Despite being the 6th most common cancer it is the second leading cause of cancer
related deaths. It is a major cause of cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
Aim: To study the symptom profile and the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infection among patients with HCC in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of patients with HCC managed at the study center from January 2013 to December 2017. The diagnosis of HCC was made based on the symptoms, physical examination and radiological findings. A structured proforma was used to obtain socio-demographic, clinical presentation and laboratory data from patients who met our inclusion criteria. The data obtained was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences version 22.
Results: A total of 109 HCC patients whose ages ranged from 23-89 years with a mean age (SD) of 45.3 (14.0) years were studied. Eighty-two (75.2%) of these were males and the < 45 years age group had the highest frequency of 57 (52.3%). Weight loss 100 (91.7%), abdominal swelling 98 (89.9%) and abdominal pain 96 (88.1%) were the most prevalent presenting complaints. Jaundice 47 (43.1%), wasting of the small muscles of the hand 35 (32.1%), sparse axillary hair 25 (22.9%) and finger clubbing 24 (22.0%) were the prevailing stigmata of chronic liver disease whereas liver tenderness 85 (75.2%), irregular liver surface 79 (72.5%), hard liver 64 (58.7%)
and ascites 65 (59.6%) were the commonest findings on abdominal examination. These were not mutually exclusive. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C among the patients with HCC was 56.9% and 3.7% respectively.
Conclusion: HCC is more prevalent among young persons aged < 45 years and among males in UITH, Ilorin. Weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling are the commonest presentation. The prevalence of hepatitis B infection among them is high whereas that of hepatitis C is low.
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Keywords
Hepatocellular carcinoma, clinical profile