High incidence of extrahepatic carcinomas in idiopathic hemochromatosis.
In a series of 36 consecutive patients with proved idiopathic hemochromatosis and with a mean follow-up time of 8 years, 10 patients developed 11 carcinomas (30.6%). Five patients had hepatomas and six patients extrahepatic carcinoma involving lungs (four), oral cavity (one), and thyroid (one). The findings suggest a causal relationship between hemochromatosis and extrahepatic cancer. The evidence of an increased cancer risk in relation to cirrhosis and to iron toxicity are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors