Case Report: Hepatocelluar Carcinoma In Pregnancy And Postpartum Period: A Study Of 6 Cases In Nigerian Women.

Abstract

Six Nigerians women with hepatcocelluar carcinoma (HCC) in pregnancy and the postpartum period were studied. Their ages ranged from 22 to 37 year with a mean of 28.2 years. Five (83.3%) of the women presented in the postpartum while 1 (16.7 %) presented during pregnancy.There was co – existing cirrhosis in 5 (83.3%) of them. All the 4 women tested for HBsAg were positive. Rapid tumour growth was observed in 2 women who were breastfeeding their babies while on admission. One of the 6 women had a fresh stillbirth at 32 weeks gestation but the other 5 had normal deliveries. Five out of 6 patients died on admission (after an average of 20 weeks of illness) while 1 patient discharged herself against medical advice. The major causes of death were hepatic failure and intra – peritoneal haemorrhage.

This study shows that the pregnant Nigeria with women with HCC may carry her pregnancy to term and have normal delivery.

Those women who do not present pregnancy may do so in the postpartum period. It is suggested that breastfeeding may ad rapid HCC growth and rupture.

Key Words: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, pregnancy, postpartum period, Breastfeeding

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(1) 2004: 46-49