Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer death in 46 countries.  The highest incidence of HCC is in Asia accounting 76% of all cases and caused by Hepatitis B.  Evolution to HCC may be the direct effect of the virus itself, or it may be an indirect effect through the process of the inflammation, regeneration, and fibrosis associated with cirrhosis. Objective: We find out the characteristics of hepatitis B related HCC. Methods: This observational study was carried out in the Department of Hepatology, BMU (Bangladesh Medical University); sample of this study was collected from January 2017 to December 2018. The diagnosis of HCC was confirmed by pathological examination or AFP elevation (400ng/ml) combined imaging (CT/MRI) after exclusion of hepatitis C virus infection and significant alcohol intake. All patients were HBsAg positive. Results: A total of 44 patients were included in this study. Among them, 91% were male (n=40) and mean age was 48.2 (±12.9) years with range from 23 to 80. Only 11.4% know about their liver disease. Abdominal pain (95.5%), weight loss (86.4%) & anorexia (97.7) were the cardinal presentations. Cirrhosis and PVTT were 79.5% and 41%. AFP level > 400ng/ml was 64 % and IL28B Genotype (rs12979860) showed Genotype (CC)& Allele (C) frequency of were 45.5% & 64.8% respectively. Conclusions: Population-based vaccination programs against HBV and universal infant vaccination have the potential to reduce the incidence of HCC in the future. Suppression of HBV replication with antiviral may reduce the risk of HCC. Early detection and treatment are warranted.

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