Etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective analysis from the „Timofei Moșneaga” Republican Clinical Hospital

Authors

  • Eugen Tcaciuc Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2362-1788
  • Diana Rusnac Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy
  • Catalin Condrea Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy
  • Catalina Olaru-Stavila Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3524-427X
  • Calina Bugor Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3035-710X
  • Liudmila Tofan-Scutaru Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52556/2587-3873.2025.2(104).33

Keywords:

hepatocellular carcinoma, viral hepatitis, metabolicdysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, hepaticcirrhosis

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer and a significant cause of global mortality. This study aims to analyze the etiological factors of HCC at the “Timofei Moșneaga” Republican Clinical Hospital (RCH) in the Republic of Moldova, in relation to trends observed in international literature. A retrospective observational study was conducted by analyzing the cases of patients admitted to the RCH “Timofei Moșneaga.” The study included 299 patients hospitalized between 2017 and 2025 with a confirmed diagnosis of HCC. Data were collected from the SIAAM information system. Selection criteria included age, sex, etiology, and stage of liver disease. The results were compared with international studies using Google Scholar and PubMed. The predominant etiological factors were viral infections: hepatitis C virus (HCV) – 29.8%, hepatitis B virus (HBV) – 17.4%, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-/superinfection – 17%. Non-viral factors, such as alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), accounted for 10.37% of cases. MASLD was identified in 1.67% of cases and alcohol use in 8.7%. Approximately 89% of patients had advanced hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh classes B and C). The primary cause of HCC in the Republic of Moldova remains viral etiology, although a gradual shift toward metabolic etiology is being observed in Western countries. The high prevalence of hepatic cirrhosis at HCC diagnosis highlights the urgent need for effective screening and early detection programs.

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Published

2025-12-01

Issue

No. 2(104) (2025): Supliment. Al VI-lea Congres Național de Gastroenterologie și Hepatologie din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională

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How to Cite

[1]
Tcaciuc, E. et al. 2025. Etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective analysis from the „Timofei Moșneaga” Republican Clinical Hospital. Public Health Economy and Management in Medicine. 2(104) (Dec. 2025), 184–189. DOI:https://doi.org/10.52556/2587-3873.2025.2(104).33.

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