LIVER-CANCER IN ASIAN MIGRANTS TO THE UNITED-STATES AND THEIR DESCENDANTS

The incidence of primary liver cancer in Chinese, Japanese, and Filipi no migrants to the United States and their descendants is compared wit h that of United States-born Whites. Incident liver cancer cases were ascertained between 1973 and 1986 from population-based cancer registr ies serving the San Francisco/Oakland (CA) metropolitan area, 13 count ies of western Washington, and Hawaii. The population of these three a reas,with regard to age, race, and country of birth, was estimated fro m a special tabulation of the 1980 US census. Rates of primary liver c ancer were higher for men born in Asia than Asian men born in the US, who, in turn, had higher rates than did US Whites (respective annual r ates per 100,000: Chinese, 26.5 and 9.8; Japanese, 16.5 and 6.6; Filip inos, 11.4 and 6.5; US Whites, 3.4). Among Asian American women, the t rends were not as consistent (respective annual rates per 100,000: Chi nese, 2.2 and 3.7; Japanese, 1.9 and 1.4; Filipino, 2.6 and 0; US Whit es, 1.1). In general, liver cancer incidence among Asian Americans was lower than among residents of Asia. These findings are compatible wit h substantial variation among Asians in the prevalence of one or more etiologic factors for liver cancer, such as hepatitis-B infection and aflatoxin consumption, in relation to residence and place of birth.