Analysis of risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma that is negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To clarify risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) other than hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated serum HBV-DNA and other factors in 146 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) or HCC who were HBsAg negative. We analyzed the clinical background of the patients, status of hepatitis B (HBV) viral markers and platelet count as well as the presence of an HBV-DNA fragment by PCR and elucidated risk factors for HCC generation using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among ten factors, we determined that four represented a significant risk for HBsAg negative HCC male gender, total alcohol consumption, total cigarettes smoked, and the presence of an HBV-DNA fragment. Multivariate analysis showed that among the four factors, the HBV-DNA fragment was an independent factor associated with HCC. CONCLUSION: The presence of an HBV-DNA fragment irrespective of the status of antibodies to either HBsAg (anti-HBs) or hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is a pivotal factor associated with the development of HCC.