Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary cancer of the liver and the third greatest cause of cancer-related death worldwide, incidence is increasing. The aim of this retrospective study is to estimate the incidence of HCC and to identify the risk factors for HCC in patients who have passed through the Clinic of Hepatogastroenterology, Varna. All they have serologic tests, imaging examinations (abdominal ultrasonography, CT, MRI) and fine needle biopsy. Men are 125 of pts. and women are 55 (2.3:1). The average age at diagnosis is 62±9.44 (m) and 65±12,02 (f) years. The majority of patients (68%) with HCC had cirrhosis. Viral infection was found in 54% of the cases: hepatitis C (HCV) - 46 pts. (26%), hepatitis B (HBV) - 52 pts (29%). Diabetes mellitus have 40 pts (22%). Alcohol abuse was observed in 38 pts. of the surveyed (21%). These study shows that the main risk factors for HCC are male gender, older age, viral hepatitis (HCV and HBV), alcohol intake, presence of cirrhosis and diabetes. Thus, the best strategy is eliminating modifiable risk factors (alcohol, diabetes) and to treat with viral infections (HBV, HCV)