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Hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic young adult patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infection.

Authors :
Sezaki, Hitomi
Kobayashi, Masahiro
Hosaka, Tetsuya
Someya, Takashi
Akuta, Norio
Suzuki, Fumitaka
Tsubota, Akihito
Suzuki, Yoshiyuki
Saitoh, Satoshi
Arase, Yasuji
Ikeda, Kenji
Kobayashi, Mariko
Matsuda, Marie
Takagi, Kimiko
Sato, Junko
Kumada, Hiromitsu
Source :
Journal of Gastroenterology; 2004, Vol. 39 Issue 6, p550-556, 7p
Publication Year :
2004

Abstract

Background. The aims of this study were to define the clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in young adult patients without cirrhosis and to evaluate the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy on HCC recurrence. Methods. Of 187 patients with HBV-related HCC treated at our hospital, 4 had no liver cirrhosis and were less than 30 years of age (10, 22, 23, and 26 years). Results. At the time of diagnosis of HCC, all cases had antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe) and histological staging of nontumorous liver was F0 or F1, i.e., low-grade hepatitis. The mothers of all 4 young adult patients with HCC had HBV-related liver disease. Three cases developed recurrence of HCC. In these patients, long-term intermittent IFN therapy after reresection of HCC resulted in long-term survival without recurrence for more than 3 years of follow-up. Conclusions. (1) Young adult patients with HCC are positive for anti-HBe, lack cirrhosis, and the route of infection seems to be mother-to-infant transmission. Transplacental transmission of HBV and HBV DNA integration into the cellular genomic DNA during fetal life is a possible explanation of HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis in young adults; and (2) long-term IFN therapy seems to be useful for prevention of tumor recurrence after radical operation for HBV-related HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09441174
Volume :
39
Issue :
6
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Gastroenterology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
13678021
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-003-1341-2