Primary hepatocellular carcinoma following non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis

Abstract

In 1964 a 42-year-old woman was hospitalized with clinical and laboratory signs of posttransfusion hepatitis five weeks after administration of six whole blood transfusions. During the following 17 years anicteric chronic liver disease was repeatedly documented by elevations of serum aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase enzymes. In 1981 hepatomegaly, progressive jaundice, and a serum alphafetoprotein level of 516,000 ng/ml were observed. Percutaneous liver biopsy showed a primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). Serologic examinations failed to reveal markers for hepatitis B virus including HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc by radioimmunoassay; antibody to hepatitis A virus was also absent. This sequence of events demonstrates a presumptive association of PHC and the agent(s) of non-A, non-B viral hepatitis.