Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study (2013–2023) in Lima, Peru

Zambrano-Huailla R.; Celedonio-Campos W.; Mayorga-Márquez R.; Matos-Prado E.; Garavito-Rentería J.; Castro-Villalobos C. · Revista Colombiana de Gastroenterologia (2025) · DOI: 10.22516/25007440.1202

Resumen

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC-related mortality ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. This study aimed to determine the incidence of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection within a Peruvian population. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients with chronic HBV infection treated at the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza between 2013 and 2023. Results: A total of 84 patients were included. The median age was 46 years, and 29% had liver cirrhosis at the start of the study. The median follow-up period was 66 months (range: 64–87). At baseline, 87% of patients were receiving antiviral therapy. The cumulative incidence of HCC at 5 and 10 years was 1.2% and 2.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Over a ten-year follow-up period, the low incidence of HCC in patients with chronic HBV infection may be associated with timely treatment and individualized monitoring. Further research is needed to validate these findings.