Liver neoplasms and the oral contraceptives

For sixteen years (1954 to 1970) oral steroids had been used for contraception by millions of women. We were unable in this time span to find any cases of liver neoplasms in women using oral contraceptives. However, since 1970, there have been 138 cases reported in the English literature. We will add nine cases to this number, including an unusual case report. Evidence for the oral contraceptive as an etiologic agent in causing liver neoplasms is circumstantial but but nevertheless substantial. The literature is reviewed, and our case is presented. At present, the etiology of liver neoplasms is an enigma. Close clinical surveillance with an awareness of this potentially fatal pathologic entity is essential in women who have ingested oral contraceptives.