We analyzed epidemiological features and therapeutical results of liver cirrhotic patients and those complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma or esophageal varicosity, who had been admitted to our hospital during the past five years from January, 1979, to December, 1983.
1. A total of 128 patients with liver cirrhosis were experienced during the five years, consisting of 98 males and 30 females. In males, the incidence of the disease rapidly increased in the fourties (26.5%), and reached a peak in the fifties (38.5%). In females, the incidence of the disease tended to increase until the seventies.
2. According to the classification by cause, HBV-induced cirrhosis accounted for 31.3%(40 cases); alcoholic, 20.3%(27) and unknown, 48.4%(61). The mean ages were 55.9 years for the patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis, 52.5 years for those with alcoholic cirrhosis, and 60.1 years for those with unknown cirrhosis.
3. Of the 128 patients, 66 died: a largest portion of 40.9% of the deaths resulted from hepatocellular carcinoma; 37.8%, from liver insufficiency; 12.1%, gastrointestinal bleeding, and 9.2%, other causes.
4. Of 41 hepatocellular carcinomas, 30 were complicated with liver cirrhosis (the complication rate of liver cirrhosis was 73.2%). By cause, HBV-induced complication accounted for 40%(16 cases); alcoholic, 14.9%(4) and unknown, 16.4%(10).
5. The excision rate of hepatocellular carcinoma was a low about 5%. In the cases where the carcinomas were not excised, lasting arterial infusion, TAE and/or one shot of arterial infusion were performed; however, their outcomes were not satisfactory because of the complicatdon of liver cirrhosis and/or advanced cancer.
6. A complication of esophageal varicosity was observed in 60 cases (46.8%), of which 16 received surgical treatment (preventive operation for 9; scheduled operation, 6 and emergency operation, 1). Operative death occurred in 4 cases, while delayed death appeared in 5. In deciding application of operation to each case, pre-operative complete evaluation of liver functions seems to be important.
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