S2343 Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Guatemala

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth and third most common cancer worldwide and in Guatemala, respectively. It is associated with a high mortality rate (leading cause of cancer in the country - 14.9/100,000) and 90% is associated with cirrhosis in the United States. The aim of the study is to describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of HCC in a public hospital (Roosevelt) in Guatemala. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out in patients diagnosed with HCC from March to October 2024. Results: A total of 140 patients diagnosed with HCC were included, with a mean age of 62.8 (SD 11.9) years and 55% were men. Forty-two percent had a history of type 2 diabetes and 85% had liver cirrhosis, the majority secondary to chronic alcohol consumption (62%). A single lesion was identified in 54% and multinodular HCC in 36%. The mean alpha-fetoprotein level was 1,866 (SD 4.192) ng/mL. The diagnosis was confirmed by liver biopsy in 11%. Forty-two percent of cases were classified as stage C or D according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer system, with portal invasion in 19% and extrahepatic spread in 17%. Conclusion: In this study, slightly more than half were men, between the sixth and seventh decades of life. Cirrhosis was the condition most associated with HCC, followed by diabetes, and chronic high alcohol consumption. At the time of diagnosis, most patients were in advanced or terminal stages. AFP levels do not always correlate with HCC, so inconclusive cases, histopathological confirmation is necessary.