Liver Cancer in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The incidence of liver cancer aires with geopgraphical location. The diagnosis can be difficult and often requires the use of serum markers, one or more imaging modalities and histologic confirmation. The disease is frequently diagnosed late in its course because of abscence of pathognomonic symptoms and the liver's large functional reserve. This study was designed to highlight the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with primary liver cancer. Method: In this retrospective study, case nmotes of patients seen over a seven year period in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria, which is a high incidence country, were retrieved and analyzed to determine selected epidemiologica variables related to liver cancer. Result: Thee were 424 patients (294 male and 130 females) in whom a diagnosis of primary liver cancer was made. Their ages ranged between 1 year and 80 years with a mean of 43.7 +/- 16.52 years. The commonest clinical features were abdominal pain, weight loss, abdominal swelling, hepatomegaly, jaundice and pedal edema. B surface antigen was present in 61.5% of patients while HCV antibody was present in 11.6%. Most of the patients who were admitted to hospital (62.9%) died. Conclusion: Late presentation is the main characteristic of liver cancer in Nigeria and the prognosis remains dismal. Hepatitis B virus infection is the main risk factor in majority of cases.