On the frequency of primary hepatic carcinoma in the sector of Venice from 1906 to 1988

Of about 56000 autopsies carried out in Venice (between 1906 and 1988) there is a frequency 1.15% of hepatic primary carcinoma. In the pre-1946 period, the frequency is 0.59%, whereas in the post-1946 period it rises to 1.88%. There is a marked increase of cirrhosis related carcinoma, most notably in women. The main risk factors would appear to be alcohol and HBV. In the same period, there were 3 cases of hepatoblastoma (0.005%) and one case of hepatocellular carcinoma in early infancy.