Clinical Profile of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Tertiary Care Center, North Karnataka

Abstract

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been steadily increasing, driven by rising alcohol use, sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and the limited effectiveness of antiviral therapy in curbing chronic liver disease (CLD). This study provides a retrospective analysis of HCC cases over 5 years at a tertiary care hospital in India. A total of 63 patients diagnosed with HCC over a 5-year period (2019-2024) at KLE Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belagavi, were included. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, underlying etiology, radiological features, and staging (using the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer system) were analysed. Among the 63 patients, 50 (79%) were male and 13 (21%) female. Cirrhosis was present in 30 (47.6%) of cases. Common symptoms included ascites in 15 (23.8%) and jaundice in 12 (19%), although 6 (9.5%) of patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. MAFLD - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease emerged as the leading cause 27 (42.85%), followed by hepatitis B 18 (28.5%), hepatitis C 5 (7.9%), and alcoholic liver disease 3 (4.76%). A significant proportion of patients were diagnosed at advanced stages BCLC stage C in 38 (60.3%) and stage D in 25 (39.7%). Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP >400 ng/mL) was found in 38 (60.3%). Macrovascular invasion and/or distant metastasis were noted in 37 (58.7%), while tumor thrombus was observed in 26 (41.26)%. MAFLD - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease has surpassed viral hepatitis as the most common etiology of HCC in this cohort. The high rate of late-stage diagnosis underscores the urgent need for targeted screening and early intervention, particularly in populations with metabolic risk factors