A case-control study on family history of liver cancer as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in North Italy

Objectives: We carried out a case-control study to investigate the role of history of liver cancer in a first-degree relative as a risk factor for hep atocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Two hundred eighty-seven HCC incident cases and 450 subjects unaff ected by liver disease (controls) were enrolled in the study. Family histor y of liver cancer and other malignancies and history of alcohol intake were collected by face-to-face interview. Blood samples were analyzed for HBsAg , anti-HCV and HCV RNA positivity. Results: Family history of liver cancer was associated with HCC (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-4.7), whereas family histor y of other malignancies was not (OR = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.6-1.5). An increased OR for family history of liver cancer was found among subjects negative for the other risk factors (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 0.6-6.9). A synergism of family history of liver cancer was also evident with hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection and with heavy alcohol intake. Conclusions: This study suggests a role of family history independent from and interacting with known risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma.