[The frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma in autopsy material]

The frequency of liver cell carcinomas (n = 249) in autopsies of adults (n = 36,074) from 1960 to 1981 was 0.69%; in males (n = 19,124) 1% (n = 192) and in females (n = 17,950) 0.34% (n = 57). The development of liver cell carcinoma was associated with cirrhosis of the liver in 87% of the cases (89% in males and 70% in females). The relative frequency of liver cell carcinoma in autopsies is increasing: 1960 to 1966 0.5%, 1967 to 1973 0.89%, 1974 to 1981 1.4%. This increase is mainly the result of the development of carcinoma after cirrhosis in males: 1960 to 1966 0.49%, 1967 to 1973 0.86% and 1974 to 1981 1.2%. Cirrhosis of the liver from 1974 to 1981 showed a continuous increase in the relative frequency and an age-shift towards younger age groups in males. Throughout the study period a history of alcohol abuse was frequently given in the patients history.