Etiology and clinical profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull. 1997 Apr;23(1):16-24.

Abstract

Sixty-four consecutive subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma were prospectively studied in the department of Hepatology, IPGMR, Dhaka. Their mean age was 50.11 years. Fifty-two were male and 12 female. Cirrhosis was present in 12 (18.75%) subjects. Thirty subjects (46.88%) had HBsAg in their sera. Seven (58.33% of females) patients gave history of use of oral contraceptives. Cirrhosis, HBV infection, male sex, middle age, and probably the use of oral contraceptives in females appeared to be important risk factors for development of HCC in Bangladesh. Majority of patients presented with upper abdominal pain, weight loss and anorexia. Hepatomegaly was invariably present. Alpha fetoprotein was significantly higher in cirrhotic HCC patients than in non-cirrhotic ones. Median survival was two months. None of the clinical or laboratory features predicted the prognosis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Contraceptives, Oral / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Contraceptives, Oral
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens