Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus: incidence and prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in a North American urban population

Hepatology. 1995 Aug;22(2):432-8.

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively determine the prevalence and annual incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B carriers in a heterogeneous urban North American population and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of tests used for screening for this cancer.

Design: Prospective cohort study of 1,069 chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus using screening with alpha-fetoprotein alone or in combination with ultrasonography every 6 months.

Results: The mean age of the cohort was 39 +/- 12 years (+/- SD), 65% were men, 71% were Asians. At the first screening visit, serum alpha-fetoprotein was > or = 20 micrograms/L in 4%. In those subjects who were also screened by ultrasonography during the first visit, 9% were found to have focal lesions. Only 3 subjects were found to have hepatocellular carcinoma at the first screening, giving a prevalence of 281/100,000 chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. The cohort was followed for 2,340 person-years (mean, 26 months follow-up, with a range from 6 to 60 months). During this period, 11 more subjects, 10 men and 1 woman, were diagnosed to have hepatocellular carcinoma (annual incidence, 470/100,000). In men only, the annual incidence was 657/100,000. During the study, 5 subjects died from hepatocellular carcinoma (annual mortality rate, 214/100,000). Sensitivity and specificity of serum alpha-fetoprotein > 20 micrograms/L were 64.3% and 91.4%, respectively. For ultrasonography, sensitivity was 78.8% and specificity 93.8%.

Conclusions: These data suggest that the incidence and prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B carriers in our area, an urban North American setting, are as high as in countries where hepatitis B is endemic. Current screening tests have significant false-positive and false-negative rates raising questions about the cost-benefit of screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in our study population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asia / ethnology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / epidemiology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / virology*
  • Carrier State*
  • Europe / ethnology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle East / ethnology
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • alpha-Fetoproteins