Comparison between patient characteristics, aetiology and outcomes in patients with and without cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in a regional centre

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in incidence across the UK. Most patients have underlying cirrhosis, but a significant minority do not. Progression and outcomes of HCC in patients without cirrhosis remains unclear. This study aimed to establish the proportion and characteristics of patients with HCC occurring in those with and without cirrhosis in the West of Scotland. Methods Data were collected from our prospectively collected database on patient demographics, liver disease aetiology, stage at presentation and outcomes for patients with a diagnosis of HCC confirmed at the Regional West of Scotland multidisciplinary team from 2009 to 2015. Results 638 patients were included. 138 (21.6%) did not have cirrhosis and were older at diagnosis than those with cirrhosis (72 years vs 68 years, p=0.001). A higher proportion of those without cirrhosis presented with more advanced HCC (Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) score B or above; p=0.003). Patients with cirrhosis had median survival of 8 months, compared with those without cirrhosis (11.5 months) but survival was similar in both groups on Kaplan-Meier analysis (p=0.119). There was no difference in survival between these groups when adjusted for cancer stage. Survival was influenced by BCLC score in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic groups, as was survival by Child-Pugh score in patients with cirrhosis. Among the patients who underwent transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), those with cirrhosis had worse survival (p=0.044). Conclusion 21.6% of patients with a new diagnosis of HCC in our region did not have underlying cirrhosis. Patients with non-cirrhotic HCC were diagnosed at an older age, with more advanced stage of HCC. There was no difference in overall survival between patients with HCC with and without cirrhosis, however, survival after TACE was higher in those without cirrhosis. Data are available on reasonable request. De-identified participant data available from CL (ORCID 0000-0003-0136-7835).