Familial hepatocellular carcinoma in an endemic area: two case reports.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually affects patients aged 50-70 years but earlier onset (25-40 years) may occur in hepatitis B endemic areas. 70-90% of HCC develop on a background of cirrhosis. However, hepatitis B virus is directly oncogenic and can cause HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. This may represent a major cause of death from late diagnosis in resource-limited areas.


METHODS
We report a black African family in which clinical diagnosis of HCC was made on two male siblings in the south west region of Cameroon.


CONCLUSIONS
The highest risk for HCC may occur in families in which a hereditary component may be acting in concert with hepatitis B virus. In all cases of HCC, it is important to screen all first degree relatives to detect early and asymptomatic disease.
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, PO Box 126, Limbe, S.W. Region, Buea, Cameroon. elroypat@yahoo.co.uk.
Elroy P
EP
Weledji
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. nsaghads@hotmail.com.
Dickson S
DS
Nsagha
Department of Pathology, Regional Hospital Buea, Buea, Cameroon. enowrock24@yahoo.com.
George
G
Enoworock
Department of Pathology, Regional Hospital Buea, Buea, Cameroon. mauricemouladje@yahoo.com.
Maurice
M
Mouladje
D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005192:Family Health; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D055815:Young Adult