[Hepatocellular carcinoma in a high-complexity public center in Argentina: epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic outcomes].

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. In our region, there is a scarcity of studies addressing its epidemiology and treatment. The aim was to characterize a cohort of HCC patients in a high-complexity public center in Argentina over a span of 10 years.

Method: This study employed a retrospective observational and analytical cohort design. All patients aged 18 and above, diagnosed with HCC between January 2013 and December 2022 at Hospital El Cruce, were included.

Results: The cohort comprised 380 patients, 75% being male, average age of 57 ± 10.14 years. Cirrhotic liver was evident in 94% of cases. Surgery was employed in 182 (138 hepatic transplants, 44 surgical resections), locoregional therapies in 121 (104 sole transarterial chemoembolization, and 17 in combination), and one radiofrequency ablation. Systemic treatment was administered to 34 patients, 17 of whom received it as monotherapy. Mortality within the series according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging: 0, 1/2 (50%); A, 92/220 (41.8%); B, 60/98 (61.2%); C, 21/23 (91.3%); D, 37/37 (100%).

Conclusions: HCC emerges as a complex tumor with an unfavorable prognosis, underscoring the pivotal role of prevention and early detection in improving outcomes.