[Analysis of 293 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma of recent ten years--I. Epidemiology, anamnesis and tumor occupying rate].

Two hundred and ninety-three cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) admitted to the key hospital of the rural area of western Japan, Saga Prefectural Hospital, during 10 years since 1979 to 1988 were analysed retrospectively. The male to female ratio was 3.7 to 1 and the ratio of HBs-Ag positive to negative was 3.5 to 1. The peak of the age distribution was seventh decade. The incidence increased annually, especially in HBs-Ag negative males. Their past history of blood transfusion was considered as an etiology of HCC in 19 (9.9%). The HCC was diagnosed approximately 10 years earlier in habitual drinkers than non-habitual drinkers of both positive and negative HBs-Ag. The incidence of small tumors is associated with the past history of chronic liver disease, negativity of HBs-Ag, lack of symptoms and old age.

[Analysis of 293 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma of recent ten years--II. Diagnosis, therapy and prognosis].

Two hundred and ninety-three cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of recent ten years during 1979 and 1988 were analysed on its diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. Angiography was the most useful diagnostic method for the first 5 years. During recent 5 years and for the tumor with size less than 2 cm, however, ultrasonography was the best method. 24.7% cases showed negative AFP and only 42.5% cases showed the level over 400 ng/ml. According to the tumor occupying-rate at the diagnosis, the number of cases of E1 had increased annually, the other cases being unchanged. 88.6% cases had liver cirrhosis microscopically as being reported previously. As a therapy TAE was most frequently performed, followed by operation, arterial infusion of antitumor drugs et al. The prognosis of the patients depended on the tumor occupying-rate. For the case of E1, the prognosis was the best by the therapy of ethanol injection therapy, operation and TAE. For the cases with tumor of larger than E1, frequent TAE was the best. From these results we concluded that we must make efforts to find small tumors to get the good prognosis.