TITLE:
Epidemiologic Characteristics and Clinical Presentation of Primary Liver Cancer: A Single-Center Observational Study at Tengandogo University Hospital, Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Hakani Nathalie Beni Da, Wendtongo Ghislain Moumoula, Rodrigue Namèkinsba Doamba, Nomawendé Inès Compaoré Yougbaré, Rodrigue Nomwendé Salou, Aïssatou Ouédraogo, Bertille Ouédraogo, Aimée Florence Sanon Bambara, Sidpawalmdé Carine Bagré Attiou, Abel Sawadogo, Massara Koné Sigué, Hannah B. Wild, Kounpielime Sosthène Somda, Sandrine Marie Odile Bobilwindé Soudré Héma, Roger Sombie, Adama Sanou
KEYWORDS:
Cancer, Liver, Hepatitis B/C, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
7,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To describe the epidemiologic characteristics and clinical presentation of Primary liver cancer (PLC) at Tengandogo University Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Tengandogo, CHU-T) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at CHU-T, from 1 May 2013 to September 30, 2023. All patients seen for PLC in outpatient consultation or inpatient hospitalization were included. Results: One hundred and twenty-four (124) cases of PLC were included, representing an annual average of 11.8 cases. The mean age was 49.6 years, with the age group of 40 - 50 years most commonly represented. The male-to-female sex ratio was 4.2. The majority of patients (56.5%, n = 70) had a WHO performance status score of 3 (patient confined to bed or a wheelchair > 50% of waking hours). Abdominal pain (64.5%, n = 80) and hepatomegaly (85.5%, n = 106) were the most common clinical signs. The main etiological factor was hepatitis B virus infection (59.7%, n = 74). An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level greater than or equal to 400 ng/ml was observed in 51.3% of patients (n = 59). In the majority of cases, radiological examinations revealed large masses involving the right lobe of the liver, with a significant proportion of multinodular tumors (45.7%, n = 21). Masses were larger than 3 cm in 80.4% of cases (n = 37). Portal hypertension and portal vein thrombosis were associated with these lesions in 23.5% (n = 16) and 22.0% (n = 15) of cases, respectively. The most common histological type of PLC (85.7%, n = 18) was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Barcelona Clinic for Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification identified advanced stage in 35.6% of cases (n = 42) and terminal stage in 34% of cases (n = 40). Conclusion: The clinical presentation and diagnosis of PLC are often delayed at CHU-T. The predominant histological type observed was HCC, most commonly associated with hepatitis B virus. Emphasis should be placed on viral hepatitis awareness and screening campaigns as well as hepatitis B vaccination to reduce the incidence of this fatal disease. Further research regarding the treatment of PLC and patient outcomes in the study setting is also needed.