Prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma in a Spanish university hospital. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Canillas, Lidia; Parcerisa, Marçal; Coll, Susanna; García-Retortillo, Montserrat; Macià, Francesc; Bessa, Xavier; Castells, Xavier; Puigvehí, Marc; Posso, Margarita
• Is Part Of: Cancer epidemiology. Volume 78(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Hepatocellular carcinoma -- Hepatitis C virus -- Characteristics -- Prognosis -- Survival; Cancer -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Carcinogenesis -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102142
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1877-7821

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) arises in chronic liver diseases, particularly caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol in Europe. We aimed at evaluating the characteristics and mortality of patients with HCV-related HCC as compared to other HCC etiologies. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data from 887 patients with HCC identified through the Hospital del Mar Cancer Registry (Barcelona, Spain), during the 2001–2020 period. We estimated crude and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of dying and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results: Among 887 patients with HCC, 617 (69.6%) were HCV-infected. Underlying cirrhosis was more frequent in HCV-related HCC compared to other etiologies (97% vs. 89%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of HCV-related HCC decreased from 79% in 2001–2005 to 55% in 2015–2020 (p < 0.001). HCV infection did not increase the hazard of death [aHR 0.95 (CI95% 0.81–1.13)]. Mortality was independently related to age > 75 years, advanced BCLC stage at diagnosis, and diagnosis before 2010. Conclusion: In our cohort, HCV-related HCC frequently occurred in a cirrhotic background, but showed similar clinical characteristics and mortality as compared to other HCC etiologies. Highlights: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to Hepatitis C (HCV) is frequent (~70%). HCC characteristics at diagnosis are similar in HCV positive or negative patients. HCV infection was not related to mortality in HCC patients. HCV-related HCC shows a decreasing incidence through recent years.