Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Hepatol. Oct 27, 2024; 16(10): 1132-1141
Published online Oct 27, 2024. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i10.1132
Liver cell cancer surveillance practice in Nigeria: Pitfalls and future prospects
Yusuf Musa, Ijeoma M Ifeorah, Abubakar Sadiq Maiyaki, Rahama Mohammad Almustapha, Yussuf Abdulkadir Maisuna, Habib Tijjani Saleh, Abdulmumini Yakubu
Yusuf Musa, Habib Tijjani Saleh, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Katsina 820101, Nigeria
Ijeoma M Ifeorah, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400102, Nigeria
Abubakar Sadiq Maiyaki, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840283, Nigeria
Abubakar Sadiq Maiyaki, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto 840101, Nigeria
Rahama Mohammad Almustapha, Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Department of Community Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina 820101, Katsina, Nigeria
Yussuf Abdulkadir Maisuna, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Bayero University Kano, Kano 700101, Nigeria
Yussuf Abdulkadir Maisuna, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano 700101, Nigeria
Abdulmumini Yakubu, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840283, Nigeria
Abdulmumini Yakubu, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto 840283, Nigeria
Author contributions: Musa Y, Ifeorah IM, contributed to manuscript concept, drafted, reviewed, edited the manuscript and served as guarantors; Maiyaki AS, Almustapha RM, Maisuna YA, Saleh HT, and Yakubu A contributed to drafting and editing the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Yusuf Musa, MBBS, MD, Consultant Physician-Scientist, Doctor, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Murtala Muhammad Way, Opposite Jibia Road, Katsina 820101, Nigeria. yusuf.musa@npmcn.edu.ng
Received: June 25, 2024
Revised: August 24, 2024
Accepted: September 20, 2024
Published online: October 27, 2024
Processing time: 117 Days and 22.1 Hours
Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease of public health concern in Nigeria, with chronic hepatitis B and C infections contributing most to the disease burden. Despite the increasing incidence of HCC, surveillance practices for early diagnosis and possible cure are not deeply rooted in the country. This article aims to review the current status of HCC surveillance in Nigeria, stressing the encounters, breaches, and potential prospects. Several factors, such as limited tools for screening and diagnostics, insufficient infrastructure, and low cognizance among the doctors, and the general public affect the surveillance practices for HCC in Nigeria. Moreover, the lack of standardized guidelines and protocols for HCC surveillance further intensifies the suboptimal diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for refining surveillance practices in the country. This would be achieved through boosted public health sensitization campaigns, integrating HCC screening into routine clinical services, and leveraging technological developments for early detection and monitoring. Furthermore, collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and international organizations can facilitate the development of comprehensive HCC surveillance programs personalized to the Nigerian setting. Thus, HCC surveillance practice faces substantial challenges. By addressing the drawbacks and leveraging prospects, Nigeria can improve HCC surveillance, with subsequent improved outcomes for individuals at risk of developing the disease.

Keywords: Hepatocellular cancer; Surveillance; Alpha-fetoprotein; Ultrasonography; Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin; Early disease; Intermediate disease; Late disease; Advance disease

Core Tip: Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and the 5th most common cause of global cancer-related mortality. However, in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries, most HCC patients present late with high mortality. Therefore, the best way to deal with such a situation is prevention and surveillance for early detection of cases when a cure is achievable. This editorial aims to shed light on current HCC surveillance practices, and challenges in Nigeria and propose strategies for improvement.