Hepatocellular carcinoma in thalassemia major

✍ Scribed by Borgna-Pignatti, Caterina ;De Stefano, Piero ;Sessa, Fausto ;Avato, Franco

• Book ID: 102524118
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 221 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0098-1532
• DOI: 10.1002/mpo.2950140610

✦ Synopsis

The occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in a 22-year-oid man with thalassemia major is reported. As a result of transfusional hemochromatosis, this patient had already developed diabetes, hypogonadism, heart failure, and the sicca syndrome; hewas serum and tissue HBsAg negative. Liver iron concentration measured postmortem was found to be 50 times normal.

Multiply transfused patients are at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Serial measurements of serum alpha-fetoprotein should permit early detection of the tumor and reduce mortality. Preventive measures include early immunisation against hepatitis B virus and prevention of iron accumulation by intensive use of desferrioxamine. Treatment of hemochromatosis-associated hypogonadism with androgens should be considered with caution.