HBV-DNA-related hepatocellular carcinoma occurring in childhood. Report of three cases.
In a series of 325 HBV chronically infected children observed over an 18-year period, three developed HCC. These three children were born in southern Italy, a region characterized by a high endemic HBV infection rate; each had been infected perinatally, developed an acute hepatitis, and became a chronic carrier. Two of the three with cirrhosis were HBsAg positive at the time their HCC was detected. The remaining case had seroconverted to HBsAb but HBV-DNA integration could be demonstrated in the absence of cirrhosis; moreover HBV antigens were not expressed in the tissue of this case. The interval between HBV infection and HCC appearance in these three cases ranged from six to 11 years. A similarity between these three Italian cases and the majority of HCC arising in chronically infected children in the Far East is noted.
Giacchino
R
R
I Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Genova, Italy.
Navone
C
C
Facco
F
F
Giambartolomei
G
G
Pontisso
P
P
Callea
F
F
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D012802:Sicily / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens