Clinical-Epidemiological, Imaging, Laparoscopic and Histological Characterization of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction. Cancer continues to be the leading cause of mortality in Cuba; therefore, the following problem arises: What will be the clinical-epidemiological, imaging, laparoscopic and histological characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma attended at the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital? Objective. To describe the clinical-epidemiological, imaging, laparoscopic and histological characteristics of the population of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at the aforementioned centre. Methods. Prospective, descriptive study. The study period was from September 2017 to January 2020. The sample consisted of 30 patients of both sexes, the data was collected through a clinical interview, observation and clinical laboratory and imaging studies. Results. The most affected group were patients aged 50-59 years (43.3%) with male predominance; of the personal pathological history, liver cirrhosis predominated (73.3%), the most frequent clinical manifestations were weight loss (80.0%), 46.6% showed a tumour liver corresponding to nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the highest number of cases were stage III (40.0%). Conclusions. Hepatocarcinomacellular carcinoma in the studied population predominated in ages corresponding to 50-59 years, mostly affecting the male sex and with a history of liver cirrhosis. General symptoms were the most frequent and tumour markers were positive in most patients. Abdominal ultrasound, tomography and laparoscopy were the most accurate methods in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The nodular type was the most common and in a greater number of cases the diagnosis was made at stage III.