Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Versus Non-Cirrhotic Patients: A Retrospective Study of 483 Patients

Abstract

Background and Aim: Although cirrhosis is a classical risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), its absence does not exclude this risk. We aimed to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cirrhotic HCC (C-HCC) and non-cirrhotic HCC (NC-HCC) patients. Methods: Patients consecutively included in a prospective HCC cohort (University Hospital Bern) were analysed. They were categorised into two groups, based on the basis of histology or combined radiological and laboratory characteristics. Results: 20.4% of patients were NC-HCC. This group was characterized by a higher median age and a higher female prevalence compared to the C-HCC group. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (25.7%) and HBV infection (14.9%) were the main risk factors in this group, whereas alcohol abuse (26%) and HCV (21.6%) in C-HCC, P