Multicenter epidemiologic study on hepatocellular carcinoma in Turkey.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is one of the important health problems in Turkey, being very common and highly lethal. The aim of this study was to determine clinical, demographic features and risk factors.


METHODS
Nine hundred and sixth-three patients with HCC from 13 cities in Turkey were included in this study.


RESULTS
Only 205 (21%) of the 963 patients were women, with a male:female predominance of 4.8:1 and a median age of 61 years. The etiologic risk factors for HCC were hepatitis B in 555 patients (57.6%), 453 (81%) in men, and 102 (19%) in women, again with male predominance, hepatitis C in 159 (16.5%), (14.9% and 22.4%, with a higher incidence in women), and chronic alcohol abuse (more than ten years) in 137 (14.2%) (16.8% and 4.9%, higher in males). The Child-Pugh score paralleled with advanced disease stage amd also a high level of AFP.


CONCLUSIONS
According to our findings the viral etiology (hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections) in the Turkish population was the most important factor in HCC development, with alcohol abuse as the third risk factor. The Child-Pugh classification and AFP levels were determined to be important prognostic factors in HCC patients.
Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey E-mail : drcanalper@gmail.com.
Alper
A
Can
Erkan
E
Dogan
Ibrahim Vedat
IV
Bayoglu
Ali Murat
AM
Tatli
Mehmet
M
Besiroglu
Murat
M
Kocer
Ahmet Cumhur
AC
Dulger
Ummugul
U
Uyeturk
Derya
D
Kivrak
Zuat
Z
Orakci
Oznur
O
Bal
Turgut
T
Kacan
Sehmus
S
Olmez
Nedim
N
Turan
Mehmet Fatih
MF
Ozbay
Ahmet
A
Alacacioglu
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins