Hepatitis B surface antigen levels in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate the distribution of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A total of 226 cases of HBV-related HCC were collected from June 2009 to December 2013. Demographic characteristics of patients with different barcelona clinica liver cancer (BCLC) stages, the status of cirrhosis and HBsAg levels with different virological indicators were compared. HBsAg quantification was tested by chemiluminescence. The statistical analysis was conducted by t test, χ2 test, Kruskal-Wallis H rank sum test and Mann-Whitney U rank sum test. Results A total of 226 cases were included with 201 male patients and 25 female patients. HBsAg levels in HBV-related HCC patients with different ages were significantly different (χ2=12.30, P=0.015), but with no statistical difference in those with different gender (Z=-0.35, P>0.05). The HBsAg levels were not significantly different between patients with or without liver cirrhosis (Z=-0.80, P=0.419). HBsAg levels in liver cirrhosis cases with different liver function stages were not significant different (χ2=2.15, P=0.341). HBsAg levels in HBeAg-positive group or HBV DNA positive group were significantly higher than those in HBeAg-negative group or HBV DNA negative group, respectively (Z=-3.67 and -4.80, respectively, both P 0.05). The constituent ratios of patients with different HBsAg levels in different BCLC stages were statistically different (χ2=28.17, P=0.005). Conclusions There are no significant differences of HBsAg levels in patients with different BCLC stages, indicating that HBsAg may not be a contributor for disease progression after emergence of HCC. Key words: Hepatitis B surface antigens; Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Liver cirrhosis; Barcelona clinical liver cancer