title: Frequency of deaths in hepatitis C virus infected hepatocellular carcinoma patients and its relationship with raised serum alpha-fetoprotein levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of deaths in hepatitis C virus infected hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and its relationship with raised serum alpha-fetoprotein levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted at Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan, between March 2013 and April 2014, and comprised all patients diagnosed with hepatitis C virus and hepatocellular carcinoma over 30 years ofage. Blood sample was drawn for the measurement of serum Alfa fetoprotein levels. Data was analysed using SPSS 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 165 patients was55.49±11.67 years. The mean tumour size was 5.63 ± 2.14cm. Of the total, 31(18.8%) patients had tumour size <3cm, 65(39.4%) 3-5cm and 69(41.8%) >5cm. The mean serum Alfa fetoprotein level was 7641.0±3665.32 IU/ml. Overall mortality rate was 70(41.9%). Tumour size >5cm was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum Alfa fetoprotein levels were a useful tool for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C virus patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology, Isra University Hospital, Hala Road, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fida Hussain
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hala Road, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shaista
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical Unit-I, Shahid Benazir Bhutto University Teaching Hospital, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sultan Ahmed
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chandio
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hala Road, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Alvina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munaf
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hala Road, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhamad Aamir
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ghori
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, Isra University Hospital, Hala Road, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Sadik
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.affiliation: DDepartment of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hala Road, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asif Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Burney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
keywords: Hepatitis C virus, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Alpha fetoprotein levels.