Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis-negative patients with thalassemia intermedia: A closer look at the role of siderosis

  • Joseph E. Maakaron
  • , Maria Domenica Cappellini
  • , Giovanna Graziadei
  • , Jad Bou Ayache
  • , Ali T. Taher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Patients with thalassemia are often exposed to several risk factors for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to their repeated transfusions. However, even transfusion-independent patients with thalassemia intermedia (TI) can develop HCC, which is mainly attributed to a state of iron overload. We report here two cases and review the literature for the association between TI and HCC. Along with our cases, a total of 36 cases of HCC in thalassemic patients were reported in the literature. Of these, 22 (61%) were TI patients with 6 (27%) of them being hepatitis B and C negative. There was no consistency in their characteristics; therefore, we recommended screening thresholds for HCC in TI patients based on their total liver iron concentration (LIC).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)142-146
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of Hepatology
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Iron overload
  • Liver iron concentration
  • Risk factor
  • Thalassemia intermedia

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis-negative patients with thalassemia intermedia: A closer look at the role of siderosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this