CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTI-HCV ANTIBODY-POSITIVE PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA ON CHRONIC-HEMODIALYSIS - RECOMMENDATION OF PERIODIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR EARLY DETECTION

We analyzed 10 patients (male:female 9:1, mean age 64.2 years) who dev eloped hepatocelluar carcinoma during the observation period of 2 year s among 2,164 chronic hemodialysis patients in 23 dialysis centers. Am ong them, 409 patients were positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies (19 %). They were all positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies but negative for HBs antigen. None of the anti-HCV antibody-negative patients devel oped hepatocellular carcinoma during this period. Although liver funct ion tests of the patients were almost normal, pathological examination of the liver revealed chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis. Periodic ultrasonographic examination is necessary for early detection of hepa tocellular carcinoma in chronic hemodialysis patients with positive an ti-HCV antibodies even if liver function tests are within normal range s.