Clustering of hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in a family

Abstract

Family clustering of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is well recognized, although rare. One possible reason for such clustering has become apparent since the advent of tests to detect circulating markers of hepatitis B virus infection, and this has been the common aetiological factor in three families studied. We report the results of screening a Chinese family following the death of one member who had been found to have HCC associated with hepatitis B surface antigenaemia. Four of 7 siblings were traced: one had died of HCC five years earlier, and evidence of past or present hepatitis B infection was found in the remaining 3, one of whom was also found to have HCC.