HEPATOMA DEVELOPMENT DURING LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP PERIOD OF LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

An attempt was made to elucidate the pathogenesis of hepatoma. The material comprises 20 cases which were followed up more than 3 yr after diagnosed liver cirrhosis and verified by autopsy. Hepatoma was found in 10 out of these 20 cases (50%). The follow-up period of these 10 cases with hepatoma was from 3 to 9.5 yr (the mean value; 5.5 yr). All 10 cases were not heavy drinkers and showed liver cirrhosis of the mixed type by autopsy. HBsAG [hepatitis B surface antigen] was positive in 6 out of 8 cases by RIA [radioimmunoassay] method (75%), and .alpha.-fetoprotein was also detected in 5 of 7 cases by RIA method (70%). Only 2 out of 10 cases without hepatoma were HBsAg positive (20%). The present results indicate that HBsAG positive liver cirrhosis of the mixed type is closely related to hepatoma in our country.