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. 2010;65(12):1285-90.
doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322010001200010.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil

Flair Jose Carrilho  1 , Luciana Kikuchi, Fernanda Branco, Carlos Sandoval Goncalves, Angelo Aves de Mattos; Brazilian HCC Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil

Flair Jose Carrilho et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010.

Abstract

Objectives: We performed a national survey to update hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) epidemiology in Brazil and determined the clinical and epidemiological profiles of patients with HCC in different Brazilian regions.

Methods: Data from 29 centers included 1,405 patients diagnosed with HCC from 2004 to 2009.

Results: The median age was 59 (1-92 years old; 78% male). At diagnosis, females were older than males (median age: 62 vs. 59 years old respectively; p<0.0001). Ninety-eight percent of the patients had cirrhosis (1279/1308). Hepatitis C virus was the main etiology (54%), followed by hepatitis B virus (16%) and alcohol (14%). In Southeastern and Southern Brazil, hepatitis C virus accounted for over 55% of cases. In the Northeast and North, hepatitis C virus accounted for less than 50%, and hepatitis B virus accounted for 22-25% of cases; hepatitis B was more prevalent in the Northern than in the Southern regions. Some 43%, 35%, and 22% of patients were in early, intermediate, and advanced stages respectively. Initial therapies for HCC included chemoembolization or embolization (36%), percutaneous ablation (13%), liver resection (7%), and sorafenib (1%). Liver transplantation was performed in 242 patients (19%), but it was the initial therapy for only 56 patients (4%).

Conclusion: The epidemiology, classification, and therapy selection for HCC varied among Brazilian regions. Hepatitis C infection was the most common etiology of liver cirrhosis; chemoembolization was the most common therapy employed. Liver cirrhosis was the main risk factor for HCC development in Brazil.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of patients according to HCC etiology and Brazilian region.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of patients according to HCC classification and Brazilian region.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of patients according to initial HCC therapy and Brazilian region.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of patients according to initial HCC therapy and classification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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