The Pathological Features of Primary Liver Cell Carcinomas in Nigerians: A Preliminary Study of Sixty-one Consecutive Cases from Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To describe the pathological features of primary liver cell cancer as seen in a tertiary health care facility in Nigeria and compare these features with those recorded in other settings. Methods: This is a retrospective study in which liver surgical biopsies and open
biopsies specimens recorded over an 18 years’ period were analysed with respect to age, sex and pathological features. Statistical analysis was performed using simple statistical methods. Results: Sixty- one cases consisting 51 specimens obtained from needle biopsy, 5 open biopsies and 5 autopsy biopsies were analysed. There was a marked male preponderance with a male to female ratio of 2.1:1. The peak age of occurrence was the 6th decade of life ( mean age was 32.8%). The most common mode of presentation by these patients was abdominal swelling and most of the patients presented late. Hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common primary liver carcinoma and its shows strong association with hepatitis B virus but weak association with liver cirrhosis. Cholangiocarcinoma was the second most common and mostly seen in the females in this study. Majority of the tumours in this series were moderately differentiated. Conclusion: This report show that the pathological features demonstrate certainm fundamental differences between primary liver cell carcinoma in Nigerian patients and those in other parts of the world.