title: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B virus infection in Korea.
abstract: Serological evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) were assayed in sera from 112 Korean patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) and from 63 age- and sex-matched controls. Serological evidence of HBV infection was found in 100% of PHC patients and in 97% of controls. The majority of PHC patients (87%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). In contrast, only 14% of control individuals were positive for HBsAg, but 82% were positive for antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was detected in a high percentage (38%) of HBsAg-positive PHC patients, but in none of the nine HBsAg-positive control individuals. Serum AFP was detectable in 83% of PHC patients but in only one of 63 controls (1.5%). These results document that HBV infection may be the major factor in the development of PHC in this country.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase