Regular hospital visits improve the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial diagnosis: A single regional community hospital study
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Abstract
Background/Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between regular hospital visits and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to suggest methods to avoid poor prognoses in HCC.
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Materials and Methods: In total, 103 patients with initial HCC were classified into 3 groups based on hospital visits occurring 1 year before diagnosis: group A was patients with regular hepatologist visits (n=41), group B was those with regular visits to other hospital divisions (n=50), and group C was those with no hospital visits (n=12). The relationships between the 3 groups and survival rates, backgrounds, hepatic reserve, and stages of HCC were analyzed.
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Results: Survival rates of groups A, B, and C after diagnosis at 36 months were 77.9%, 66.3%, 31.3%, respectively. These were significantly higher in group A than in B and in group B than in C (p=0.042 and p=0.003, respectively; generalized Wilcoxon test). Child-Pugh classification, Japan integrated staging (JIS) score, and Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) staging were poor in group C compared with group A (p<0.01) and group B (p<0.01 or p<0.05). Males with viral infection (15 of 16 males in group B, p<0.01) and non-virally infected patients (34 patients in group B, p<0.01) had fewer regular hepatologist visits.
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Conclusion: Hepatologist visits appeared to improve the prognosis of initial HCC. Males and non-virally infected patients should be screened to avoid delays in diagnosis. Since cases of non-viral HCC are likely to increase in Japan, surveillance methods for all clinicians should be established.
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Cite this article as: Watanabe M, Yomokori H, Takahashi Y, et al. Regular hospital visits improve the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial diagnosis: A single regional community hospital study. Turk J Gastroenterol 2017; 28: 353-60.
<o:p></o:p>
Materials and Methods: In total, 103 patients with initial HCC were classified into 3 groups based on hospital visits occurring 1 year before diagnosis: group A was patients with regular hepatologist visits (n=41), group B was those with regular visits to other hospital divisions (n=50), and group C was those with no hospital visits (n=12). The relationships between the 3 groups and survival rates, backgrounds, hepatic reserve, and stages of HCC were analyzed.
<o:p></o:p>
Results: Survival rates of groups A, B, and C after diagnosis at 36 months were 77.9%, 66.3%, 31.3%, respectively. These were significantly higher in group A than in B and in group B than in C (p=0.042 and p=0.003, respectively; generalized Wilcoxon test). Child-Pugh classification, Japan integrated staging (JIS) score, and Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) staging were poor in group C compared with group A (p<0.01) and group B (p<0.01 or p<0.05). Males with viral infection (15 of 16 males in group B, p<0.01) and non-virally infected patients (34 patients in group B, p<0.01) had fewer regular hepatologist visits.
<o:p></o:p>
Conclusion: Hepatologist visits appeared to improve the prognosis of initial HCC. Males and non-virally infected patients should be screened to avoid delays in diagnosis. Since cases of non-viral HCC are likely to increase in Japan, surveillance methods for all clinicians should be established.
<o:p></o:p>
Cite this article as: Watanabe M, Yomokori H, Takahashi Y, et al. Regular hospital visits improve the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial diagnosis: A single regional community hospital study. Turk J Gastroenterol 2017; 28: 353-60.