Multi-center prospective survey of hepatocellular carcinoma in Kerala: More than 1,200 cases.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered uncommon in India. The aim of this study was to document the demographic characteristics and clinical aspects of HCC in Kerala, India. METHODS: A survey of HCC in Kerala was performed. All gastroenterologists in the region were invited. From May 2018 to April 2020, data was collected in a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-three doctors from 15 centers contributed the data. Total 1217 patients were analyzed. This is the largest state-wide survey of HCC in India. HCC was more common in men (90%) than in women (p < 0.01). The etiology of liver disease was hepatitis B virus (7%), hepatitis C virus (4%) and alcohol (40%). Diabetes mellitus was present in 64%, hypercholesterolemia in 17% and hypertension in 38%. Obesity was present in 33% and 15% were overweight. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with or without metabolic syndrome was present in 44%. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was > 400 ng/mL in 24%, total tumor diameter was > 5 cm in 59%, portal vein invasion was seen in 35% and distant metastasis was seen in 15%. Specific therapy was given to 52%. Treatments given included liver transplantation (n = 24), liver resection (n = 39) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE, n = 184). Although the study was not designed to compare survival, patients who had liver transplantation had longer survival (median 69 months) compared to matched patients given only TACE (median 18 months) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: HCC is common in Kerala, India. NAFLD has a predominant association with HCC in Kerala. Most of the patients report late when curative treatment is not possible.

Recent advances in management of acute liver failure.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening illness, where a previously normal liver fails within days to weeks. Sudden loss of synthetic and detoxification function of liver results in jaundice, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and multiorgan failure. The etiology of ALF varies demographically. The mortality of ALF is as high as 40-50%. The initial care of patients with ALF depends on prompt recognition of the condition and early detection of etiology. Management includes intensive care support, treatment of specific etiology if present and early detection of candidates for liver transplantation. Liver transplantation remains the only therapeutic intervention with proven survival benefit in patients with irreversible ALF. Living related liver transplantation, auxiliary liver transplantation, and  ABO-incompatible liver transplantation are coming up in a big way. Liver assist devices and hepatocyte transplant remain experimental and further advances are required. Public health measures to control hepatitis A, B, E, and drug-induced liver injury will reduce the incidence and mortality of ALF.