Smoking as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] in patients with chronic hepatitis in Egypt

Incidence of primary liver cancer has increased in the last two decades and many risk factors that lead to this type of cancers known, as regards chronic viral hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, aflatoxines, oral contraceptive pills, alcohol and smoking. This study is applied to evaluate whether smoking is a risk factor for hepatocelluar carcinoma [HCC] in patients with chronic hepatitis in Egypt or not. A case control study was conducted on 95 patients with HCC and 105 patients as a control subjects matched for sex, age +/- 3 years were interviewed in the general medical and surgical wards of same hospitals in which the HCC patients were seen. A full history with special emphasis on special habits especially smoking either cigarette or tobacco and classified into light, moderate and heavy smokers. Routine laboratory tests, viral hepatitis markers, Alfa feto protein, abdominal U/S and liver biopsy were conducted for every each patient. The study revealed that chronic hepatitis B and C infection, cirrhosis and heavy smoking are common etiologies for HCC among Egyptians. Also the study revealed the importance of repeated follow up for patients with chronic hepatitis by abdominal US, for detection of hepatic tumors in early stages