Primary liver tumors at a referral center in El Salvador

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction. Primary liver tumors are the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the sixth most common type of cancer. In El Salvador, there are no up-to-date data on this disease, which limits the development of public health policies for its prevention and timely diagnosis. Objective. Determine the sociodemographic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and staging characteristics of patients with primary liver tumors treated at a referral center for hepatopancreatobiliary pathology at the Salvadoran Social Security Institute between 2016 and 2022. Methodology. Descriptive study based on a review of clinical records of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary liver tumors. Results. A total of 87 clinical records was included. Male patients predominated, and the median age was 70 years, with most patients originating from urban areas. The most frequent symptoms were right upper quadrant pain, weight loss, and a palpable mass. The most commonly used diagnostic method was a combination of imaging studies and biopsy. The most common initial treatment was palliative care, followed by systemic chemotherapy, and surgical approach. Most patients were diagnosed at advanced stages. Conclusion. Hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common subtype in the study population. Most patients were diagnosed at advanced stages, highlighting the need to strengthen strategies for timely diagnosis and improve the quality of clinical record-keeping.