Obstruction of the inferior vena cava in the hepatic portion and hepatocellular carcinoma.

High incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with obstruction of the inferior vena cava in the hepatic portion (Budd-Chiari syndrome) was previously pointed out by us from the review of Japanese literature of autopsied cases. This was confirmed by the follow-up study of 16 patients with obstruction of the inferior vena cava in the hepatic portion hospitalized in 1958 to 1974. Follow-up information was available on 13 of the 16 patients. Deaths due to hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 6 patients (46%), and those due to other causes in 4 patients (31%). Three patients were alive. Hepatocellular carcinoma occurred most frequently in the patients who were found to have obstruction of the inferior vena cava at less than 44 years of age and were followed up for more than 10 years.