HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (HCC) / LIVER CANCER – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver cancer) is an abnormal uncontrollable growth of liver cells that is very fatal. It can be caused by untreated chronic infection with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses. It can also be caused by chronic alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and dietary exposure to aflatoxins (particularly from intake of poorly preserved food items including grains such as groundnuts). Any condition that leads to liver cirrhosis can cause Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection is the commonest cause of HCC in Nigeria.

HCC is a rapidly progressing cancer and by the time the symptoms appear the cancer would have become advanced. Once advanced liver cancer develops the chances of survival beyond 6 months is very slim. Most patients in Nigeria usually present at the advanced stage when there is virtually nothing that can be done again to treat it except for supportive care of such patients. It is therefore like a “death sentence” in most instances when the diagnosis of HCC is confirmed in our population.

This is the major reason why individuals should get screened particularly for Hepatitis B virus infection, which is the commonest cause in Nigeria, so that appropriate measures can be taken in order to avoid the development of liver cancer. The other causes of HCC stated above should also be avoided.

Symptoms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer) include the following:

• Right-sided upper abdominal pain

• Right-sided upper abdominal swelling

• Generalized abdominal swelling

• Weight loss

• Fatigue / Undue Tiredness

• Yellowness of the eyes (Jaundice)

• Disorientation / Confused conversation

Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer)

• Screening for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus infection and treatment of those who are positive

• Hepatitis B vaccination

• Avoid alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking

• Avoid dietary intake of aflatoxins

• Routine medical check-up

HCC STATISTICS

WORLDWIDE (Source WHO)

• Globally, HCC accounts for over 90% of primary liver cancers and 7% of all cancers.
• HCC is the 5th most common cancer in men and 8th most common cancer in women.
• HCC is the 3rd cause of cancer-related death (about 500,000 to 1 million deaths/year).
• Incidence of HCC is about 749,000 new cases/year.
• Incidence of HCC peaks at the 8th decade of life (70-79 years).
• Male to Female ratio is about 2.4 to 1.0.
• Highest incidence rates occur in South-East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

NIGERIA (Source SOGHIN)

• Incidence of HCC is moderately high (11-20/100,000 population)
• Middle-aged Nigerians in the 40-59 years age bracket are predominantly affected.
• Overall national male to female ratio is 3.7 to 1.
• Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection is the commonest cause.
• National prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in Nigeria is about 8.1%.
• About 60% of Nigerian patients with HCC have Hepatitis B virus infection.

As part of our efforts against Hepatitis, we hosted an outreach event at Federal Teaching Hospital. Ido- Ekiti, Nigeria to commemorate the World Cancer Awareness Month in October 2022.