Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with B-cell lymphoma in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C

B Gasztonyi, MD,^a A Szomor, MD,^a Zs Schaff, MD PhD,^b A Par, MD PhD,^a L Kereskai, MD,^c E Kalman, MD,^c I Battyany, MD PhD,^d P Boriszlova, MD,^b L Pajor, MD PhD,^c G Hegedus, MD,^e H Losonczy, MD PhD,^a Gy Mozsik, MD ScD,^a

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic and lymphotropic agent which causes hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and seems to have a pathogenetic role even in B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). We report two patients with chronic HCV infection who were suffering from HCC and B- cell NHL. Case 1.: High grade NHL was diagnosed in a 71-year-old HCV-positive male, in addition, HCC was also suspected. Autopsy revealed NHL infiltrations and HCC in the liver. In situ RT-PCR analysis for HCV has proved the presence of the virus in the hepatic tissue. Case 2.: Anaemia, abdominal lymph nodes and hepatic tumour was found in a 65-year-old female HCV-positive patient. At autopsy, cirrhosis, HCC and low grade NHL were shown. Conclusions: Coexistence of these two malignant diseases is rare and in our cases HCV may be the common etiological factor. It is recommended to screen NHL patients for HCV infection. For those who have HCV infection as well, treatment protocols containing interferon (IFN) would be advisable, as IFN is not only antiviral agent, but also a constituent of several chemotherapy protocols for lymphomas. On the other hand, the close follow- up of patients with chronic hepatitis C for lymphoproliferative disorders may be an adequate strategy to detect HCV-induced B-cell NHL-s in an early phase.

For more information, contact gasztonyi@clinics.pote.hu

Paper presented at the International Symposium on Predictive Oncology and Intervention Strategies; Paris, France; February 9 - 12, 2002; in the section on Viral Oncogenesis.

http://www.cancerprev.org/Journal/Issues/26/101/996/4341