# Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Patients with Chronic Liver Disease in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study found that 3.75% of patients with chronic liver disease at a tertiary care center had hepatocellular carcinoma, with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis being the most common underlying condition.

## Contribution

The study provides prevalence data on hepatocellular carcinoma among chronic liver disease patients in a specific clinical setting.

## Key findings

- Hepatocellular carcinoma was present in 54 out of 1440 patients (3.75%) with chronic liver disease.
- Weight loss was the most common presenting symptom among diagnosed patients.
- Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had alcohol-related liver cirrhosis.

## Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver cancer. Viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and autoimmune hepatitis are the common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Usually patients present at advanced stages where curative treatment is no longer possible. This study aimed to find the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with chronic liver disease in a tertiary care centre.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a single tertiary care centre from March 2020 to August 2022. The study was done among inpatients of the Department of Gastroenterology after ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Convenience sampling method was used and data were collected using predetermined proformas. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated.

Among 1440 patients, hepatocellular carcinoma was seen in 54 (3.75%) (2.77-4.73, 95% Confidence Interval). At the time of diagnosis, 48 (88.89%) were symptomatic. The presenting symptoms were weight loss seen in 35 (64.81%) being the most common. Out of them, 37 (68.52%) consumed alcohol and 40 (74.07%) smoked cigarettes.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a notable concern. Alcohol-related liver cirrhosis is the most frequent condition encountered in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in our setting.