Abstract

PIP: Rare cases of benign hepatocellular (liver) tumors usually occur among women of childbearing age. Since 1973, 102 cases of this tumor had been observed among women on oral contraceptives (90% had positive steroid intake history). to investigate the possible association between oral contraceptives (OCs) and benign liver tumor, the University of Minnesota Hospitals analyzed 40 cases of benign hepatocellular from 1950 to 1976. Clinical and pathological records of patients with the tumor (with the exception of hemangiomas) were reviewed and reclassified according to Edmonson's nomenclature. Of the 40 cases, 18 were reclassified as focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH_, 10 as hepatocellular adenomas (HCS), 11 as bile duct adenomas (BDA), and one as mesenchmal hamartoma. These data, as well as information on steroid intake were detailed on Tables 2, 3 and 4. For FNH, the female:male ratio was 8:1, mean age was 43 years + or - (SD), and 8 patients had history of OCs or other steroid intake. For HCA, the female:male ratio was 4:1, with mean age of 33 years + or - 15 (SD); 3 patients had a positive history of OC intake. For BDA, the female:male ratio was 7:4, mean age was 57 years + or - 15 (SD). No definite, conclusive association was established between oral contraceptives and other steroids and incidence of these tumors. The tumors occurred in men, prepubertal children and women on contraceptives or not; they also occured even before the introduction of OCs in the United States in 1961. However, the conclusion does not rule out the possible contributing influence of OCs and other steroids on the development of these tumors.