Clinical Characteristics of Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in Southwest Nigeria.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in West Africa, but its presentation is poorly understood. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics of HBV-associated HCC patients in Lagos, Nigeria. Data for all cases were collected at the emergency and gastroenterology units (2017-2019), considering chronic carriers as controls. Clinical data and routine biochemical and radiologic test results were extracted from the files. The serum biomarkers (Osteopontin, AFP-L3, DCP) were investigated. For some cases, the hepatitis B viral load was determined. The mean age of the cases ( = 92) was 41.4 years, compared to 39.9 years for the controls ( = 100). Clinically, 69.5% of cases presented with ascites, 66.3% had nodules occupying >50% of the liver, and 67.4% had moderate hepatic encephalopathy. The mean viral load and the median values of Osteopontin, AFP-L3, and DCP for the cases were significantly higher than for the controls ( < 0.001). The area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were significantly higher for Osteopontin, compared with DCP and AFP-L3 ( < 0.001). Most HCC patients presented at a late disease stage, when the prognosis is usually poor. Especially Osteopontin seems to have potential for early HCC detection and could possibly complement AFP and abdominal ultrasound scan for risk-group screening.