Hepatocellular carcinoma, Hepatitis B and C viruses.
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the 10 most common cancers worldwide. Although several studies were conducted in Sudan, the survival of these patients remains unknown. Aim and Settings: Single centre, prospective cohort analysis of patients presenting with HCC. Outcome measures: The clinical presentation, risk factors and patients survival. Method: We prospectively studied 102 patients diagnosed as HCC referred to the NCGLD in the period from January 2003 to January 2005. Results: The mean age of the study group was 44 years with 80% males, 51% were positive for HBsAg and 25% were positive for HCV-Ab. 92% of the patients were Okuda stage II and III, with overall mean survival of five months for Okuda III and six months for Okuda II patients in this study. Conclusion: Hepatitis B and C viruses are the main risk factors for HCC in Sudan. Majority of the patients present at a late stage with poor survival outcome.
