Abstract 5926: Hepatocellular carcinoma in the hepatitis B vaccinated and nonvaccinated age groups in The Gambia

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B vaccination was started in The Gambia in July 1986 and nationwide coverage was achieved in February1990. However not much is known about its effect in the prevention of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in The Gambia. OBJECTIVE: We assess the differences in the features of HCC in both the Hepatitis B vaccinated and non-vaccinated age groups in The Gambia. METHOD: Patients with suspected HCC who were referred to the main liver clinic at the Medical Research Council, Gambia Unit (MRCG) were recruited from June 2011 to September 2019. The diagnostic criteria for HCC comprised of ultrasound demonstration of liver mass ≥2 cm with or without clinical features combined with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level of ≥200 ng/ml and/or histopathological confirmation. Clinical, radiological, fibroelastrography and laboratory data were collected in all patients. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty two patients were recruited into the study. The majority (91.3%) of the patients were in the non-vaccinated age group and most (88.8%) were born in The Gambia. Those born outside The Gambia were mostly Senegalese, Sierreleonean, and Guineans. The patients in the vaccinated age group were much younger and less likely to be born in The Gambia. They were also more likely to have higher AFP levels, positive HBsAg and a lower creatinine level as compared to those patients in the non-vaccinated age group. There was no difference in clinical manifestations, Liver Function tests and median survival. CONCLUSIONS: The early introduction of Nationwide Hepatitis B vaccination in 1990 into the EPI program in The Gambia may have had a positive effect in the incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the vaccinated age group. Compared to neighbouring countries, The Gambia seems to be leading the path for Hepatitis B elimination.To strengthen these gains, a nationwide screening and treatment program needs to be implemented for those in the non-vaccinated age groups. Citation Format: Sheikh Omar Bittaye, Ramou Njie. Hepatocellular carcinoma in the hepatitis B vaccinated and nonvaccinated age groups in The Gambia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5926.