Case-control studies of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis in relation to life style and other risk factors
Tanaka, K.; Hirohata, T.; Takeshita, S.
Gan no Rinsho. Japan Journal of Cancer Clinics Spec No (14): 305-312
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-4949 PMID: 2156091 Document Number: 359151
Case-control studies were initiated to investigate possible risk factors (life style, etc.) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). One hundred and fifty-four patients with HCC and 97 patients with LC who had no evidence of HCC were compared with frequency-matched 298 control subjects. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection and histories of blood transfusion and familial liver diseases were highly and significantly associated with both HCC and LC. Heavy drinkers in their younger years showed about 2 to 3 times risk increase for HCC or LC as compared with non-drinkers. Smoking was suspected as a risk factor, but a dose-response relationship was not clear, and further investigations are needed. To study the factors in the development of HCC from LC, 120 HCC patients with LC were compared with LC patients. No significant factors were observed. Ex-drinkers among LC patients experienced a slightly decreased risk for HCC in contrast to some belief that ex-drinkers with LC have higher risk for HCC.