Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Hepatocellular Carcinoma at the Internal Medicine Department of Point “G” Teaching Hospital in Mali

Abstract

Liver cancer is the malignant transformation of liver cells. It develops in 90% of cases of cirrhosis, more rarely on chronic non-cirrhotic liver disease, and exceptionally in a healthy liver. This study aimed to investigate the clinical aspects of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). It was a retrospective descriptive study covering 10 years, focusing on HCC cases seen in outpatient and inpatient settings at the Internal Medicine Department. We recorded 153 cases out of 7021 patient records, resulting in a hospital frequency of 2.17%. The male-to-female ratio was 3.5. The mean age was 52.37 ± 14.34 years. The most common presenting complaint was pain in 16.3% of cases. A history of jaundice was found in 25.5% of cases. Alcohol consumption was observed in 15.38% of cases. The main physical sign found was hepatomegaly in 76% of cases. HBsAg was positive in 33.3% of cases. Alpha-fetoprotein levels were above 400 IU/ml in 50.81% of cases. Patients classified as CHILD PUGH A represented 39.72% of cases. Abdominal ultrasound revealed portal thrombosis associated with heterogeneous multinodular hepatomegaly in 11% of cases. Cytology confirmed HCC in four out of six patients who underwent the examination. We recorded 63 deaths out of 111 hospitalized patients. Complications included encephalopathy, hematemesis, and ascites in 48 patients. Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a significant public health issue. Its predominance in men and its occurrence in adults with factors such as viral infections and ethylism mean that prevention of this pathology could greatly reduce its incidence.