RISK-FACTORS FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA AMONG JAPANESE WOMEN

To elucidate the risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among women, we made a combined analysis of the data from three case-contro l studies conducted in high-risk areas of Japan. A total of 120 cases and 257 controls were included in the analysis. After adjustment for t he study category, age, and other potential confounders, significantly increased risks were associated with chronic hepatitis-B virus infect ion (odds ratio [OR] = 42.4, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 11. 2-160.2), a past history of blood transfusion (OR = 3.7, CI = 1.8-7.5) , and a history of smoking (OR = 2.2, CI = 12-4.1). In addition, women with a history of heavy drinking experienced an elevated risk of bord erline significance (OR = 4.2, CE = 0.9-20.4, P = 0.07). When these OR s were compared with the corresponding estimates among males from the same case-control studies, no significant differences were observed be tween the two genders. Among the factors examined in this analysis, dr inking and smoking habits-which are more common among Japanese men tha n women-may partly account for a large male-predominance in the incide nce of HCC. Further studies are needed to clarify the roles that sex-h ormones and hepatitis-C virus infection might play in the large gender difference of HCC occurrence.