[An analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors of cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with hepatitis C virus infection].
OBJECTIVE
To study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and risk factors of cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.


METHODS
Eighty-nine compensated and decompensated HCV cirrhosis patients were analyzed and followed-up. The main clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed as incidence factors of HCC with univariate analysis and multivariate analysis regression models.


RESULTS
The patients were followed-up for 86 months. Thirty-five of the 89 patients had HCC during the 86 months follow-up. Their five and ten-year cumulative incidences were 16.9% and 40.4% respectively. Of the 35 HCC patients, 4 had a family history of hepatitis C, 12 had a familial history of HCC, and 7 had a history of alcohol ingestion. Five and ten-year cumulative incidences of HCC in patients with hepatic steatosis were 24.6% and 51.0% respectively. Five-year and ten-year cumulative incidences of HCC in patients with non-hepatic steatosis were 8.7% and 26.2% respectively, and the difference in the cumulative incidences between them was significant (P < 0.05). Hepatic steatosis severity was associated with the severity of the cirrhosis. ALT and TBil levels were higher in the HCC group than in the non-HCC group, ALB was lower in the HCC group than in the non-HCC group, and the differences between them were significant (P < 0.05). Child-Pugh score and the severity of the hepatic steatosis during follow-up were independently correlated with HCC.


CONCLUSIONS
HCC is the most important and frequent outcome of chronic hepatitis C cirrhosis. Child-Pugh score and the severity of the hepatic steatosis are related to the risk factors. History of alcohol ingestion and family history of hepatitis C are also related to liver cancer.
Wu
Chi-hong
CH
Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China. wuchihong1@sohu.com
Tian
Geng-shan
GS
Xu
Xiao-yuan
XY
Yu
Yan-yan
YY
Huang
Tong
T
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors