Volume 28, Issue 2 (Iran South Med J 2025)
Iran South Med J 2025, 28(2): 611-621 |
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Aouragh H, Ait Kaci H, Haroun I, Zenia S, Abdellaoui L, Khelifi Touhami N A, et al . Gender-Related Differences in Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Algerian Pa-tients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A 22 Year Retrospective Study. Iran South Med J 2025; 28 (2) :611-621
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2272-en.html
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2272-en.html
Hayet Aouragh1 
, Hayat Ait Kaci2 , Imene Haroun3 , Safia Zenia4 , Lynda Abdellaoui5 , Nadjet Amina Khelifi Touhami *6 , Nassim Ouchene5 , Dalila Tarzaali5 , Kamel Bentabak3 , Leila Saadi1
, Hayat Ait Kaci2 , Imene Haroun3 , Safia Zenia4 , Lynda Abdellaoui5 , Nadjet Amina Khelifi Touhami *6 , Nassim Ouchene5 , Dalila Tarzaali5 , Kamel Bentabak3 , Leila Saadi1
1- Laboratory of Eco-Biology Animals (L/E/B/A/), Higher Teachers’ Training School of Kouba Bachir El Ibrahimi, Algiers, Algeria
2- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Pierre & Marie Curie Center, Algeria
3- Department of Oncological Surgery, School of Medicine, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Centre Pierre et Marie Curie, Algeria
4- Laboratory Research «Animal Health and Production», National Hight Veterinary School, Algiers, Algeria
5- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria
6- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria ,khelifi_nadjet@univ-blida.dz
2- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Pierre & Marie Curie Center, Algeria
3- Department of Oncological Surgery, School of Medicine, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Centre Pierre et Marie Curie, Algeria
4- Laboratory Research «Animal Health and Production», National Hight Veterinary School, Algiers, Algeria
5- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria
6- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria ,
Abstract: (13 Views)
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver malignancy, presents notable sex-based differences in incidence and progression. This study investigated gender-related variations in clinical, biological, and histopathological features among Algerian patients with HCC undergoing surgical resection, aiming to elucidate regional patterns and potential sex-specific risk profiles.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 98 patients diagnosed with HCC and treated surgically between 1998 and 2019 at the Pierre and Marie Curie Center in Algiers. Data were extracted from medical records and included demographics, liver function tests, tumor size and grade, cirrhosis status, etiology, Child-Pugh classification, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and serum creatinine. Statistical analyses assessed sex-related differences and associations between biological markers and tumor characteristics.
Results: The cohort comprised 70 men (71.4%) and 28 women (28.6%), with no significant age difference (p=0.108). Cirrhosis was present in 65.3% of cases, with viral hepatitis (48.9%) and alcohol-related liver disease (22.4%) as leading causes. Tumor size, Child-Pugh class, and most liver function parameters showed no significant sex differences. However, men had significantly higher serum creatinine levels (p=0.004), with all elevated values occurring in male patients (p=0.002). AFP levels did not differ by sex but were significantly elevated in moderately differentiated tumors (p=0.031).
Conclusion: Sex had limited influence on tumor and liver characteristics, except for renal function, which was notably impaired in males. AFP’s association with histological grade reinforces its prognostic value in Algerian patients with HCC.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 98 patients diagnosed with HCC and treated surgically between 1998 and 2019 at the Pierre and Marie Curie Center in Algiers. Data were extracted from medical records and included demographics, liver function tests, tumor size and grade, cirrhosis status, etiology, Child-Pugh classification, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and serum creatinine. Statistical analyses assessed sex-related differences and associations between biological markers and tumor characteristics.
Results: The cohort comprised 70 men (71.4%) and 28 women (28.6%), with no significant age difference (p=0.108). Cirrhosis was present in 65.3% of cases, with viral hepatitis (48.9%) and alcohol-related liver disease (22.4%) as leading causes. Tumor size, Child-Pugh class, and most liver function parameters showed no significant sex differences. However, men had significantly higher serum creatinine levels (p=0.004), with all elevated values occurring in male patients (p=0.002). AFP levels did not differ by sex but were significantly elevated in moderately differentiated tumors (p=0.031).
Conclusion: Sex had limited influence on tumor and liver characteristics, except for renal function, which was notably impaired in males. AFP’s association with histological grade reinforces its prognostic value in Algerian patients with HCC.
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Gender differences, Cirrhosis, Alpha-fetoprotein, Tumor differentiation, Algeria
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Pathology
Received: 2025/07/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/28 | Published: 2025/11/22
Received: 2025/07/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/28 | Published: 2025/11/22
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