Biopsy study of hepatocarcinomas in Nigerian Igbos

Fifty-five hepatocarcinomas were found in a review of approximately 7,500 surgical biopsies done on Nigerian Igbos during a period of 6 years. The male: female ratio was 2.9:1 and the age peak was between 20 and 49 years. The main symptoms were abdominal swelling, pain, emaciation, jaundice, fever, anorexia and diarrhea. Physical examination revealed a palpable liver in nearly all patients. Two patients presented acutely with hemoperitoneum due to rupture of necrotic tumor nodule. Cirrhosis was found in 60% of the adequately sized specimens. In comparison with published data, this series from an ethnic group in Nigeria, West Africa, reveals both similarities and dissimilarities which are noteworthy.