Epidemiology

British Journal of Cancer (2009) 100, 799–802. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6604893 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 27 January 2009

Trends in the incidence of primary liver cancer in Central Uganda, 1960–1980 and 1991–2005

P Ocama1, S Nambooze2, C K Opio1, M S Shiels3, H R Wabinga2 and G D Kirk3

  1. 1Department of Medicine, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
  2. 2Department of Pathology, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
  3. 3Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

Correspondence: Dr P Ocama, E-mail: pocama@idi.co.ug; Dr GD Kirk, E-mail: gkirk@jhsph.edu

Received 23 October 2008; Revised 15 December 2008; Accepted 19 December 2008; Published online 27 January 2009.

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Abstract

Primary liver cancer (PLC) incidence trends from Africa are unknown. Using Kampala Cancer Registry data from 1960 to 1980 and 1991 to 2005, we identified 771 PLCs. Although rates were stable among men, PLC incidence among women increased >50%. Investigations of viral hepatitis, aflatoxin, obesity, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may help to explain the increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Keywords:

primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, cancer registry, Africa, gender differences, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)