Primary hepatic carcinoma in Thailand

Abstract

Primary hepatic carcinoma is a common disease in Thailand. A survey of 12,265 autopsies revealed 297 cases of primary hepatic carcinoma, an incidence of 2.42%. Of these, 124 cases (41.8%) were associated with hepatic cirrhosis and 56 cases (18.9%) were found arising in conjunction with liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) infestation of the liver. Two hundred and seventy two new patients with liver cancer were seen at the Siriraj Hospital in 1971 and 1972. The patients had a mean age of less than 50 yr. The tumors were found more frequently among men than among women. 75% of the patients produced an α fetoglobulin detectable in the blood. An enzyme histochemical study was made on 44 surgical biopsy and autopsy specimens. Alkaline phosphatase was found to be absent in tumor tissue in all cases. Enzyme reactions appeared to be greater in the tumor nodules than in the liver tissue in a majority of cases for lactate and isocitric dehydrogenases and DPNH diaphorase, whereas glucose 6 phosphate, glutamate, β hydroxybutyric, and 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenases showed greater intensities of reaction in the liver tissue. An electron microscopical study was made on 25 liver biopsy specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma and 2 cholangiocarcinomas.