Laparascopic finding predicts hepatocellular carcinoma in Hepatitis B virus

Laparascopic finding predicts hepatocellular carcinoma in Hep B virus-related liver disease

Laparoscopic findings of reddish markings predict hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver disease, reports the latest issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology.

For patients with chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV), factors predicting hepatocellular carcinoma other than high levels of Hepatitis B virus-DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are needed to prevent hepatocellular development, as many patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection fulfill these conditions.
Dr Bon Shoji and colleagues clarified factors predictive of hepatocellular carcinoma development for those patients.

The researchers performed a systematic cohort analysis of 303 consecutive patients with hepatitis B e-antigen, receiving laparoscopic examination for assessment of liver disease.
Laparoscopic, histological, and clinical characteristics were investigated as related to hepatocellular carcinoma development.

Hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 27 patients during a mean follow-up of 8 years, at the age of 37 years.

Significant associations with hepatocellular carcinoma development were shown for liver cirrhosis, histological activity grade, reddish markings, and older age.
Multivariate analysis revealed that hepatocellular carcinoma development was strongly associated with older age and male gender.

The researchers found that hepatcellular carcinoma occurred more frequently in patients of age 30 years or more even with early stage than in patients of age under 30 years.
Severe reddish markings, a laparoscopic finding of widespread parenchymal destruction, were highly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients of age 30 years or older at diagnosis, while histological activity grade and ALT level were not. Dr Shoji'a team concludes, "Hepatocellular carcinoma development is associated with older age, male gender, and liver cirrhosis."

"Reddish markings, rather than histological activity or ALT level, can be useful to predict hepatocellular carcinoma for Hepatitis B patients of age 30 years or more."

J Gastroenterol 2010: 45(11): 1172-8229 November 2010