Hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma in the non-cirrhotic liver.
To complement investigations of hepatitis B virus infection in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis, we studied hepatitis B virus infection in 137 hepatoma patients without cirrhosis. Ninety-five were from the U.K. (where the prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers is very low) and 42 were from overseas. Of these 137 patients, seven (5%) were hepatitis B surface antigen seropositive. None of the hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients had any recognisable risk factors other than birth in an area of high hepatitis B virus prevalence in four of the patients. Of the 95 U.K. patients three (3%) were hepatitis B surface antigen positive as compared to a carriage rate of less than 0.1% in the normal population. The frequency of antibodies to hepatitis B surface and core antigens alone (both 7.5%) was also higher than that seen in the normal U.K. population (2.4%). Histological examination of the non-tumorous liver showed fine fibrous septa in three patients, more extensive subcapsular scars in one, chronic persistent hepatitis in two and non-specific inflammation in one. On immunohistochemical examination five patients had hepatitis B surface antigen (but not core antigen) detectable in the non-tumorous liver tissue. Hepatitis B virus infection appears to be a small, but significant, risk factor for the development of hepatoma in the non-cirrhotic group.
Kalayci
C
C
Liver Unit, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Johnson
P J
PJ
Davies
S E
SE
Williams
R
R
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens