Primary liver cancer in Sri Lanka.

In a study of 29 Sri Lankan patients with primary liver cancer, it was found that the highest incidence was in the over 55 year age group and the male:female ratio was 5:1. The ratio of hepatocellular carcinoma to cholangiocarcinoma was 13:1. Seventy-five percent of the males in this study had consumed alcohol. This may account for the higher incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma among males and the lower incidence in females in this country in this country. The role of additives in local alcoholic beverages, the various alkaloids in decoctions and aflatoxin in articles of diet, await systematic investigation.