Clinicopathologic and prognostic differences between patients with hepatitis B- and C-related resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Hepatitis B and C viral infections are important factors in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study examined the clinicopathologic and prognostic differences in patients with hepatitis B- and C-related resectable HCC.

METHODS:

A total of 270 HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection were enrolled. Among these patients, 211 were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 59 were positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). The clinical manifestations, pathologic features, and treatment outcomes were compared between the HBsAg-positive and anti-HCV-positive groups.

RESULTS:

Compared to anti-HCV-positive patients, HBsAg-positive patients were significantly younger, had a higher familial incidence of HCC, larger tumor size, and a higher incidence of multiple tumors. HCC patients who were anti-HCV positive had worse liver function and a higher incidence of history of blood transfusion. DNA flow cytometric analysis revealed significantly more proliferative activity in the non-tumor part of the liver in HBsAg-positive HCC patients. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of HBsAg-positive patients were 79%, 57%, and 48%, respectively, and for anti-HCV-positive patients were 91%, 75%, and 62%, respectively. HBsAg-positive patients had a significantly lower overall survival rate than anti-HCV-positive patients (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS:

HBsAg-positive patients with resectable HCC had a less favorable survival rate after tumor resection than anti-HCV-positive HCC patients. This survival difference might have been related to the relatively advanced stage of disease and the higher proliferative activity of the non-tumor part of the liver in HBsAg-positive HCC patients.

• Authors: T H Chen, L M Tseng, G Y Chau, W Y Lui, S H Tsay, K L King, C C Loong, C Y Hsia, C W Wu
• Journal: Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi (J Formos Med Assoc) Vol. 100 Issue 7 Pg. 443-8 (Jul 2001) ISSN: 0929-6646 [Print] Singapore
• PMID: 11579608 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis C Antibodies

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (mortality, pathology, virology)
• Female
• Hepatectomy
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis C Antibodies (blood)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (mortality, pathology, virology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Survival Rate