CLINICAL PRESENTATION, DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP AND THERAPEUTIC CHOICES IN 2 CONSECUTIVE SERIES OF PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

In two consecutive series of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (H CC), we compared clinico-laboratory and ultrasonographic characteristi cs, diagnostic work-up, survival of untreated patients and, finally, t herapeutic choices. In addition of the clinical examination, we tested for blood serum a-fetoprotein levels, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies. Ultrasonography was performed in all the patients. In most cases, a pa thologic diagnosis was obtained by ultrasound-guided fine-needle biops y. As curative treatment we considered open surgery, percutaneous alco hol injection and radio frequency thermal ablation. In the second seri es, we observed an increased number of patients with compensated cirrh osis and with small HCCs, therefore the number of patients undergoing a potentially curative treatment was higher. The percentage of multipl e tumours was comparable in the two series implying the presence of tw o kinds of HCC, different 'ab initio'. The survival rate of untreated patients was better in the second series.