Hepatocellular carcinoma and lupoid hepatitis (an autopsy study)

Abstract

Based on two associations of hepatocellular carcinoma with lupoid hepatitis and 10 such cases reported in the literature, a pathological study was undertaken to compare this small group of patients with general population of lupoid hepatitis in terms of sex and age distribution, duration of illness and underlying liver pathology, etc., and to attempt to clarify the possible predisposing factors to the occurrence of hepatoma in these patients. 21 patients with lupoid hepatitis were found from 54 241 autopsies (0.04%). Four patients were male (19 %) and 17 female (81 %). The average age at autopsy was 41 years with a mean duration of illness of 4.2 years. The occurrance of two associations with hepatoma among lupoid patients constituted 9.5%. In contrast, 12 patients with hepatoma showed a higher male/ female ratio of 4/6, a mean age of 59 years and a mean duration of illness of 16 years. The above data indicate that maleness and older age with long duration of disease in patients with lupoid hepatitis are more predisposed to the development of tumor. The possible mechanisms of carcinogenesis in these patients are discussed.

Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma / lupoid hepatitis / autopsy study

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