Frequency of deaths in hepatitis C virus infected hepatocellular carcinoma patients and its relationship with raised serum alpha-fetoprotein levels

Objectives: to determine the frequency of deaths in hepatitis c virus infected hepatocellular carcinoma patients,and its relationship with raised serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. methods: the cross-sectional study was conducted at isra university hospital,hyderabad,pakistan,betweenmarch 2013 and april 2014,and comprised all patients diagnosed with hepatitis c virus and hepatocellular carcinoma over 30 years ofage. blood sample was drawn for the measurement of serum alfa fetoprotein levels. data was analysed using spss 16. results: the mean age of the 165 patients was55.49±11.67 years. the mean tumour size was 5.63 ± 2.14cm. of the total,31(18.8%) patients had tumour size <3cm,65(39.4%) 3-5cm and 69(41.8%) >5cm. the mean serum alfa fetoprotein level was 7641.0±3665.32 iu/ml. overall mortality rate was 70(41.9%). tumour size >5cm was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.016). conclusion: serum alfa fetoprotein levels were a useful tool for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis c virus patients. © 2016,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.