Liver tumours associated with oral contraceptives

Five young women have been encountered with unusual forms of hepatic neoplasms in a ten year period. Each had been taking an oral contraceptive. Two of the four women with benign lesions noted the presence of their tumours, and another woman presented with abdominal pain. Each of these tumours was resected successfully. The fourth patient had the diagnosis made at laparotomy following the development of haemoperitoneum after an attempt at percutaneous liver biopsy. A fifth patient developed jaundice and investigation revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma which was invading the biliary tree. This experience illustrates the need for periodic physical examination of young women who are taking oral contraceptives.