Demographic Profile and Etiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Zaria, Northern Nigeria https://doi.org/10.60787/NMJ-63-4-74

Abstract

Background: HCC is common cancer worldwide and one of the leading causes of cancer death. This study aims to determine the age and gender characteristics of the HCC patients in our centre and the contribution of viral hepatitis (B and C) and alcohol to the aetiology of HCC among our patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of HCC patients seen at the gastroenterology unit of ABUTH between April 2015 and September 2018. Data on age, gender, HBsAg, and HCV antibody status and alcohol consumption were recorded from the case files of all eligible patients.

Results: A total of 87 patients were included in the study. They consisted of 68 males (78.2%) and 19 females (21.8%) with male to female ratio of 4:1. The mean age of the study subjects was 46.7 years (SD ± 12.5), with a range of 22 and maximum age of 80 years. The majority of the patients were within the age group 40-49 (32.2%). HBsAg was present in 48 patients (55.2%), HCV antibody was positive in 14 patients (16.1%), and three patients (3.4%) were positive for both HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Four (4.6%) had significant alcohol ingestion, and in 18 patients (20.7%), the aetiology was undetermined.

Conclusion: In our study, HCC was found predominantly among male patients in the age group 40-49 years. Viral hepatitis, particularly HBV, is the most important etiological factor for HCC among our patients.