Project Abstract

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer that often arises from chronic liver diseases, with hepatitis B and C infections being significant risk factors. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a biomarker that has been widely used in the surveillance and diagnosis of HCC. This study aimed to analyze the alpha-fetoprotein levels in hepatitis patients to assess its role in predicting the development of HCC. A total of 300 patients with chronic hepatitis were included in the study, with follow-up data over a period of five years. The patients were categorized based on their AFP levels at the time of diagnosis. The results indicated that patients with elevated AFP levels had a significantly higher risk of developing HCC compared to those with normal AFP levels. Further analysis showed a positive correlation between AFP levels and the progression to HCC, with higher AFP levels associated with a greater likelihood of developing cancer. Additionally, the study found that monitoring AFP levels over time could provide valuable information on the risk of HCC development in hepatitis patients. In conclusion, the findings suggest that analyzing alpha-fetoprotein levels in hepatitis patients can serve as a valuable aid in assessing the degree to which the disease progresses to hepatocellular carcinoma. Early detection of elevated AFP levels may help in identifying patients at higher risk of developing HCC, allowing for closer monitoring and timely intervention strategies. Incorporating AFP level analysis into routine surveillance protocols for hepatitis patients could improve the early detection of HCC and potentially lead to better outcomes through prompt treatment initiation. Further research is warranted to explore the specific mechanisms underlying the association between AFP levels and HCC development, as well as to validate the utility of AFP monitoring in larger patient cohorts. Overall, this study highlights the importance of AFP as a prognostic marker in the context of hepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma and underscores the potential for AFP-based strategies to enhance clinical management and patient outcomes.

Project Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTIONHepato cellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. It accounts for 60% of all cancer world wide (Melissa 2004). The most significance cause is the presence of cirrhosis. HCC has unique geographic sex, age distribution that are likely determined by specific actiology factor. It’s distribution also varies among ethnic group within the same country (Munoz 1989). A high incidence of hepatitis B and C may have been an important factor contributing to the development of liver disease (HCC and Cirrhosis) in south eastern Nigeria. However, a recent trend which reveals an increase in cases of liver cirrhosis and hepatitis in our environment suggest that there could be other contributory factors peculiar to our environment besides hepatitis B and C which could be possible explanation to the recent trend. In so doing, it would be necessary to look into the various predisposing/causative factors of chronic hepatitis which could lead to increased cases of liver cirrhosis and HCC in our environment. The risk of developing HCC differs depending on the cause of cirrhosis. For example, cirrhosis due to hepatitis B has a high risk of leading to HCC while the risk of HCC in people with primary biliary cirrhosis, although present is very low. All these human hepatitis viruses are RNA viruses except for hepatitis B virus, which is a DNA virus. Although these viruses can be distinguished by their molecular and antigenic properties, all types of viral hepatitis produce clinically similar illnesses. These range from asymptomatic and unapparent to fulminant and fatal acute infections common to all types, on one hand, and from sub clinical persistent infections to rapidly progressive liver disease with cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), common to the blood-borne types (HBV and HCV). Without specific virological test, it is not possible to determine which hepatitis virus is responsible for a case of hepatitis. (Kathleen park et al., 2004).