[Oral hormonal contraceptives and benign liver tumors]

Focal nodular hyperplasia and liver cell adenomas are frequently found in women taking oral contraceptives. Between 1968 and 1979 nine women with focal nodular hyperplasia were operated at the surgical clinic of the University of Erlangen. 7 of these patients had taken oral contraceptives for periods between 4 and 13 years, average 6.7 years. In 7 cases the focal nodular hyperplasia was detected at operations performed for other conditions or in the course of clinical investigations done because of other diseases. Morphology, diagnostic procedures, indication for operation and operative therapy are discussed.