Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in haemochromatosis influences surgical management.
Using case note review, a retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients referred with haemochromatosis and suspected hepatocellular carcinoma between 1988 and 1997 to define the mode of presentation, management and outcome of such patients. All 12 patients were male with a mean age of 67 years. Four patients presented whilst asymptomatic by alpha-fetoprotein screening. Mean time interval between diagnosis of haemochromatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was 6.7 years. One patient underwent right hepatectomy, seven patients were treated by chemoembolisation and the remaining four patients were treated symptomatically. The median survival of the chemoembolised patients was 13 months. Of those patients treated symptomatically, the median survival was four months. Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma is often not undertaken in patients with haemochromatosis. Survival prospects are poor in patients whose tumour presents symptomatically.
University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.
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Pleass
O J
OJ
Garden
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors