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Query: UMLS:C0345904 (liver cancer)
 15,188 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The case history of a 26 year old woman describes the occurrence of a primary cholangiocarcinoma in the woman's liver during her 1st pregnancy with no signs of skeletal metastasis. During the previous 8 years, she had taken oral contraceptives (Microgynon 50). The case was successfully treated with chemotherapy (treatment with APD) and surgical removal of the tumor. It was considered highly unusual since malignant tumors of the liver occur seldom in the West, and very seldom among young people. Most patients are over 50; the illness strikes nearly twice as often in men as women. A tumor occurs in a cirrhotic liver in about 75% of cases; and, indications reveal that persistent hepatitis B plays a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. The patient did not fit into any of the those categories. The patient's initial complaints occurred during her pregnancy. Previous medical literature has described patients with a malignant tumor of the liver during pregnany, and since 1970, many articles have shown a relationship between hepatic dysfunctions in women and the use of oral contraceptives. The benign dysfunctions usually involved liver cell edema and focalized nodular hyperplasia. Malignant liver tumors in such patients have been less frequently described in the literature; thus, their relationship with the use of oral contraceptives is less certain. Artlcles have appeared, however, indicating a connection between liver malignancy and the use of sex hormones. There are also indications that humoral hypercalcemia is a frequent finding in primary liver cancer.
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PMID:[A young woman with a liver tumor and hypercalcemia]. 302 Apr 47

Mortality is the greatest concern in assessing risks of modern reversible contraception. The problems identified with older oral contraceptives (OCs) have decreased with the lower doses in current OCs. These problems include cardiovascular and thrombotic effects, changes in lipid metabolism, breast cancer, liver cancer, increased risk of chlamydia cervicitis, no protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV, and interferes with breast feeding. On the other hand, OCs protect against anemia, menstrual disorders, ectopic pregnancy, acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and ovarian and endometrial cancer. Since the contraceptive implant, Norplant, has no estrogens, it does not have the cardiovascular risks associated with OCs. Possible risks from Norplant use include changes in carbohydrate, liver, and lipid metabolism but they tend to be clinically insignificant and no protection against STDs/HIV. Menstruation disorders are the major side effect. Apparent benefits of Norplant are protection against anemia and ectopic pregnancy and no effect on lactation. The injectable contraceptive, Depo-Provera, causes menstrual changes, may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, may decrease bone density, and does not protect against STDs/HIV. It protects against endometrial cancer. It has no effect on metabolism. Risks associated with the IUD include PID, perforation, anemia, increased menstrual bleeding, and pregnancy. IUDs do not affect the quantity of composition of breast milk. They are best suited for women in a mutually monogamous, long-term relationship. Barrier methods provide some degree of protection against STDs/HIV and PID. Condoms provide the most protection. They do not affect lactation. Their major complications are contraceptive failure and risks associated with pregnancy. For all women, especially those in high risk categories, one must balance the risks of modern contraceptive use with the risks of childbearing and with their benefits.
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PMID:The safety of modern contraceptives. 784 6

Over the last couple of decades a reduction of estrogen by at least 80% in combined oral contraceptives (OCs) and much research have resulted in effective and safe contraception. We still do not know longterm effects of OCs however. OCs may protect against endometrial and ovarian cancer. A link between current OC use and liver cancer exists in areas where liver cancer is rare. An association between OC use and cervical cancer disappears when researchers control for sexual activity and barrier method use. Some research shows OC use increases the risk of breast cancer, while other research does not. There does appear to be an increased risk of breast cancer developing in women younger than 46 years of age and who have used OCs for at least 10 years. Women who have a preexisting cardiovascular condition and/or smoke should not use OCs. OC progestogens may impair glucose metabolism in healthy women, but just for 6 months. Women with diabetes mellitus can use OCs, but may need to increase insulin intake. OCs can cause hypertension in 4-5% of healthy women and worsen hypertension in about 9-16% of hypertensive women. Progestogen-only OCs have fewer systemic side effects than combined OCs, but often cause menstrual changes. Their long term effects are not yet known. Injectables containing a progestogen cause few, if any, adverse effects. The subdermal implant, Norplant, tends to cause menstrual disturbances, but is safe and effective. Progestogen - only vaginal rings are as effective as progestogen-only OCs, but menstrual irregularities are common. Failure rates for combined vaginal rings match those of combined OCs. Long-term effects of vaginal rings are not known. Postcoital contraception does not cause serious side effects, but may cause vomiting and menstrual irregularities. A levonorgestrel-releasing IUD is effective and reduces menstrual blood loss, sometimes resulting in amenorrhea. Hormonal injections in men are unlikely in the near future.
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PMID:Hormonal contraception. 829 64