Clinical Manifestations and Laboratory Examination Findings of Hepatocellular Carcinoma at a Tertiary Care Facility in Bandung: An Annual Observation Study

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent liver cancer with high mortality. Early detection is important for better patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations among HCC patients in a tertiary care facility. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a total sampling method, reviewing the medical records of patients with HCC in the Outpatient Clinic of Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital between January and December 2019. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and imaging results data were collected. Results: Of the 112 HCC patients included in this study, the HCC findings among new patients at the Outpatient Clinic were 8.4%, with hepatitis B (80.8%) as the major etiology. Complaints of abdominal pain (65.2%) were frequent. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were elevated in 90.6% and 67% of patients, and total bilirubin levels were increased in 58.8% of patients. In contrast, hemoglobin and albumin levels decreased in 56.2% and 78.1% of patients, respectively. The characteristics of tumor were mainly multinodular, with a size of 3-10 cm. Conclusions: The annual proportion of HCC at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in 2019 is 8.4% among all outpatient gastrointestinal and hepatology cases, with hepatitis B as the most common etiology. Abdominal pain is the predominantly prevalent clinical manifestation with elevated ALT and AST levels.