The Prevention of Liver Cancer and the Epidemiology of Cirrhosis

The prevalence of liver cirrhosis in 133 Romanians as obtained from a published necropsy series was compared with the biopsy pattern seen among 138 Nigerians of the Igbo ethnic group. It was found that the Romanian peak age group of 5059 years was 2 decades older than the Nigerian peak of 30-39 years. It is argued that, although one series was from necropsies and the other from biopsies, their distinct patterns are significant epidemiologically. Therefore, it is recommended that such comparative series, which ought to have an ethnic orientation wherever possible, should be undertaken internationally in order to map out the genetic and environmental factors inherent in liver cirrhosis which should be compared with the cancer of this organ. Indeed, the available evidence is that cirrhosis is the forerunner of malignancy. Accordingly, preventive measures are called for in the quest to lessen the burden of world-wide cancer of the liver. For example, the weighty words of the World Health Organization’s book promote knowledge of the epidemiology of cirrhosis vis-à-vis liver cancer. Public health education is needed, therefore.