title: Primary hepatocelluar carcinoma in Saudi Arabia. A clinicopathological study of 54 cases.
abstract: A high incidence of primary hepatocelluar carcinoma in the Orient and Africa has been reported. It is also seen frequently in Saudi Arabia. In a series of 54 consecutive patients diagnosed histologically, the male to female ratio was 10:1--the highest reported. The peak age was between 40-60 years and the mean survival was eight months. This is in contrast to hepatocelluar carcinoma in Africa where the age is between 25-35 years and the disease runs a quick downhill course simulating an abscess. Macronodular cirrhosis was diagnosed histologically or suggested clinically in 80% of the cases. Serum was positive for HBsAg in 55% of the patients, compared with 8% in healthy blood donors. These figures are as significant as reports from high incidence areas and point strongly to a possible causal relationship between HBV infection and the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens