CLDF Title
Home | Contact Us | Bookmark
MASH HCC ALCOHOL LIVER DISEASE PEDIATRIC LIVER DISEASE
Embassy of Education
Webcasts Abstract Library LiverQ Academy National Conference Regional Conferences
 
Back  
 
Reuters Health Information (2004-12-21): Liver cancer more aggressive in HIV-infected patients

Clinical

Liver cancer more aggressive in HIV-infected patients

Last Updated: 2004-12-21 14:04:50 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In HIV-infected individuals, hepatocellular carcinoma is largely related to chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and has a "more aggressive clinical course" than in HIV-negative individuals, AIDS researchers report.

Therefore, prevention strategies including the treatment of hepatitis C are advisable in the management of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, they emphasize in the November 19th issue of AIDS.

"The main characteristics of HCC in HIV-positive subjects and their survival have been poorly described so far," Dr. Massimo Puoti from the University of Brescia and the HIV HCC Cooperative Italian-Spanish Group investigators note in the paper.

They compared the clinical and epidemiological features and outcome of HCC in 41 HIV-positive and 384 HIV-negative patients.

An association between HIV infection and HCV infection emerged in multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex, with an odds ratio of 11 (p = 0.005). HIV infection was also associated with infiltrating tumors and/or extranodal metastasis at presentation, with an odds ratio of 11.8 (p < 0.001).

Based on this finding, they say "more frequent abdominal ultrasound screening and AFP testing are advisable, in order to allow diagnosis at a less advanced stage which may permit the use of surgical or loco-regional treatment."

HIV infection was independently associated with reduced survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.63.

Progression of HCC was the "main determinant of prognosis," the authors note, adding that in most cases, HCC presented in patients with well-controlled HIV infection. This supports findings from anecdotal reports and small case series.

It's also worth noting, according to the investigators, that HCC presents at a younger age in HIV-infected individuals and that the interval between the estimated date of first HCV exposure and first diagnosis of HCC is shorter.

This implies that "hepatocarcinogenesis could be a more rapid process in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients and, therefore, an increasing number of cases should be expected within the next few years in this population," they warn.

AIDS 2004;18:2285-2293.

 
 
 
 

Subscribe

Be the first to know about our latest upcoming programs and events!

CLDF

Follow us

The Chronic Liver Disease Foundation is a non-profit organization with content developed specifically for healthcare professionals.
© Copyright 2012-2025 Chronic Liver Disease Foundation. All rights reserved. This site is maintained as an educational resource for US healthcare providers only.
Use of this Web site is governed by the Chronic Liver Disease Foundation terms of use and privacy statement.