ONSET OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA IN A NONCIRRHOTIC PATIENT AFFECTED WITH HEMOCHROMATOSIS

The increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients affect ed with haemochromatosis has previously been attributed to cirrhosis. However, some cases of hepatocellular carcinoma without cirrhosis have recently been reported in patients with haemochromatosis, leading to reconsideration of the role of iron in the tumorigenesis of hepatocell ular carcinoma. We describe a 79 year old male patient affected with h aemochromatosis and with a multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma, but without any evidence of cirrhosis. The absence of any other cancer ris k factor (alcohol abuse, liver viral infections, heredity) has lead us to reconsider the possible role of iron as a direct carcinogen in the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with haemochromatosis.