[Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in the patients with a history of tuberculosis]

Of the patients diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at Chiba University Hospital and affiliated hospitals from 1978 to 1992. 191 patients with histories of having a blood transfusion more than 10 years ago were studied. Histories of having transfusions for tuberculosis were the most common, being documented by 50 patients. Of those patients receiving transfusions for tuberculosis, the average period from transfusion to the detection of HCC was 31.1 years and the average year of transfusion was 1955. Liver dysfunction was found during routine medical examinations of the most patients (38.9%), and HCC was diagnosed in 17% of the patients soon after the detection of liver dysfunction. Of the HCC patients with histories of tuberculosis treatment, anti-hepatitis C virus was frequently tested positive regardless of a history of transfusion. Patients with histories of transfusions for tuberculosis should continually be examined for liver dysfunction, and it must be considered that these patients have a risk of developing HCC.