Epidemiology of hepatocellular adenoma. The role of oral contraceptive use

Abstract

A case-control study of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), a serious though nonmalignant liver tumor, was conducted by the Center for Disease Control and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). Interviews with 79 women with HCA and with 220 age- and neighborhood-matched controls were completed. Limited information was obtained on 9 additional patients who had died. Women with HCA and hemorrhage have a greater risk of mobidity and death than those with other symptoms. Increasing duration of OC [oral contraceptive] use increases the risk of HCA. Use of OC with high hormonal potency and age over 30 yr may further increase a woman''s risk of HCA. Long-term users of OC have an estimated annual incidence of HCA of 3-4/100,000.