RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA integration is one of the cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epidemiologic evidences indicate that HBV infection is associated with the high risk of development of HCC. We wanted to evaluate the HBV DNA integration in hepatocellular carcinoma. So we detected HBV DNA by PCR in aseptically obtained 37 HCC tissues. METHODS: A total 37 surgical specimens from HCC patients were evaluated. Patient's serologic findings were analyzed retrospectively. Serologic markers were tested by radioimmunoassay. Genomic DNA was extracted from HCC paraffin blocks by microwave oven method. PGR was done. RESULTS: The sensitivity of HBV DNA PCR was 100 fg. Among 37 Patients tested, 30 cases of HCC patients had HBV DNA in their liver tissue. Among 25 HBs Ag positive patients, 23 had PCR positive results. All of the anti-HBc positive patients had HBV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are highly suggestive of HBV infection in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Detection of HBV DNA in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is highly suggestive of HBV infection in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.