Comparison of cancer care for hepatocellular carcinoma at two tertiary-care referral centers from high and low endemic regions for viral hepatitis.

Background: Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have geographic variability but differences in care have not been described. We reviewed the presentation, management, and outcomes of HCC patients from two tertiary-referral centers in Central Saudi Arabia and Atlantic Canada during 1997-2002.

Methods: Data were extracted from health records of 96 Saudi and 80 Canadian consecutive patients with HCC.