Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer Pooling Project

Liver cancer incidence and mortality have been increasing in the United States since 1980. Reasons for the increases are not clear. Known risk factors include chronic infections with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, excessive consumption of alcohol, certain rare metabolic disorders (e.g., hemochromatosis), diabetes and obesity. Whether these factors explain liver cancer in the U.S. has not been adequately examined. As a result, we are conducting a liver cancer pooling project among existing U.S. cohorts in order to explore liver cancer etiology in a prospective manner. Cohorts are contributing questionnaire data and serum samples to this effort. As liver cancer remains a rare disease, despite the increasing incidence, additional U.S. cohorts are being sought to participate in this investigation. More information, Katherine McGlynn.

A Nested Case-Control Study of Hepatocellular Carcinoma within a Health Maintenance Organization

Because the incidence of liver cancer has been increasing in the U.S., we are conducting an etiologic study within a cohort of health maintenance organization (HMO) members. The cohort was enrolled in a multiphasic health examination in the early 1960s and has been followed ever since. Questionnaire data and blood samples, contributed at baseline, as well as medical records data, will be examined. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infection status of all persons will be determined using the baseline blood samples. A number of hypotheses will be examined including, among others, the effect of steroid hormones on risk, the relationship with reproductive outcomes, the treatment of type II diabetes, and the treatment of obesity. More information, Katherine McGlynn.