| Abstract: |
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the hepatocyte frequently arises in the setting of cirrhosis, generally leading to death within 6-20 months. However, 25% of patients have no history or risk factors for the development of cirrhosis. Tumors are multifocal within the liver 75% of the time. Late in the disease, metastases may develop in the lung, portal vein, periportal nodes, bone, or brain.Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma is most commonly found among Asian persons, due to childhood infections with hepatitis B. If left untreated, HCC leads to death after a median survival of 15.2 months .Patients generally present with symptoms of advancing cirrhosis, pruritus, jaundice, splenomegaly, variceal bleeding and cachexia. Increasing abdominal growth (portal vein thrombosis leading to rapid development of ascites), hepatic encephalopathy and right upper quadrant pain (uncommon).Patients generally present with signs like jaundice, ascites, hepatomegaly ,alcoholic stigmata (Dupuytren contracture, spider angiomata), asterixis, pedal edema, periumbilical collateral veins and enlarged hemorrhoidal veins.
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