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Hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatitis B virus infection in nigeria
Author(s) -
Otu Akpan A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19871115)60:10<2581::aid-cncr2820601039>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , hbsag , hepatitis b virus , cirrhosis , hbeag , hepatitis b , gastroenterology , hepatitis , antibody , liver cancer , immunology , virus
Abstract A total of 200 consecutive patients bearing histologically confirmed primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) were studied at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (CTH), Calabar, Nigeria in 5 years and compared with 150 patients with metastatic hepatic carcinoma (MHC). Four hundred symptomless non‐icteric nontumor‐bearing individuals were noncontemporaneous controls. Sera (a total of 750) were assayed for markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc), and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs). Specimens which were positive for HBsAg also were examined for hepatitis E antigen (HBeAg) and antibody (anti‐HBe). The results show that PHC was associated with HBV seropositivity in 80% of patients, and postnecrotic (macronodular) cirrhosis of the liver in 90% clearly indicating a strong association between primary liver cancer and HBV infections and liver cirrhosis. The main factor associated with seropositivity among normal controls was a large number of therapeutic injections. Seropositives received over twice as many injections as seronegatives. Public health measures are urgently required to prevent parenteral transmission of HBV in Nigeria.