Hepatocellular carcinoma in a non-cirrhotic coal miner with secondary haemochromatosis

We report a case of hepatocarcinoma in a non-cirrhotic patient with secondary haemochromatosis. A 61-year-old man, who had been a coal miner for 36 years, presented with a well differentiated hepatocarcinoma without cirrhosis. The patient had a haemochromatosis with no family history of liver disease and a normal genetic study. Right hepatectomy was performed and 15 months later there has been no recurrence. This case confirms the possibility of hepatocarcinoma occurring in haemochromatosis patients without cirrhosis. The recognition of populations at risk of haemochromatosis is a necessity, and this should include coal miners.