HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA IN YOUNG-PATIENTS - HISTOLOGY, CELLULAR-DIFFERENTIATION, HBV INFECTION AND ONCOPROTEIN P53

The study of 226 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a homogeno us rural Southern African population is based on the assessment of his tology HBV infection, p53 oncoprotein and transforming growth factor a lpha (TGFa) expression. Epidemiological and morphological observations were compared to HCC observed in 89 cases from pathological files in Poland and published information from Japan and Italy. Comparatively h igh number of young patients with HCC in Africa presented high rates o f HBV infection, p53 oncoprotein overexpression and high HBsAg/p53 cor relation rates. In all patients histological grading of HCC was invers ely related to p53 and TGFa expression. No significant differences in histological grading of HCC and patients' mean age were noted between various population groups. The association of hepatic cirrhosis was at least twice as common in non-African patients whereas iron overload w as rioted almost exclusively in African patients livers. Signs of HBV infection were lowest in Japanese female patients. The mechanism by wh ich early HBV infection contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis at an earl y stage of life is confirmed by epidemiological observations in Poland and by the cleat association of p53 gene with HBsAg and the age of pa tients.