Clinical Features and Etiology of Patients Having Advanced Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Initial Presentation
TL;DR
Chronic viral hepatitis, especially HCV infection, was the primary risk factor in this group of patients for advanced-stage HCC, which is an indication of the need for better surveillance, early hepatopathy screening, and timely intervention measures to minimize late-stage presentation and hepatopathy-related mortality.
Abstract
Background: In underdeveloped nations, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often identified at an advanced stage and is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality globally. The aim of this study was to determine clinical characteristics and etiologies in patients presenting with late-stage HCC. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from 11th July 2025 to 11th January, 2026. The number of patients enrolled was 107, aged 18-70 years, and consecutively sampled from advanced-stage HCC. The diagnosis was confirmed on computed tomography (CT) scanning in three phases. Clinical, lab, and radiological parameters were documented. The severity of the disease was assessed using the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and Child-Pugh classification. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 25. Results: The mean age of patients was 58.1 ± 10.8 years, and 72.9% were male. Jaundice (p=0.039), ascites (p=0.028), and hepatomegaly (p=0.047) were significantly associated with portal vein thrombosis. Additionally, there was a significant association between HBV infection and a higher stage of the disease (p=0.021). Conclusions: Chronic viral hepatitis, especially HCV infection, was the primary risk factor in this group of patients for advanced-stage HCC. The majority had marked hepatic impairment and an advanced stage of the disease, which is an indication of the need for better surveillance, early hepatopathy screening, and timely intervention measures to minimize late-stage presentation and hepatopathy-related mortality.