Immunohistochemical ferritin in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Serum ferritin concentrations are elevated in 35% to 100% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With an immunoperoxidase technique, ferritin was demonstrated in tumor tissue from 32 of 74 (43%) black southern African patients, and from 12 of 19 (63%) American patients with HCC (P greater than 0.1). Ferritin was present in nonneoplastic liver in 82% of African and 100% of American patients (P greater than 0.1). Moderate to large amounts of stainable hepatic storage iron (hemosiderin) were present in 76% of African and 67% of American patients (P greater than 0.1). Fifty-two (70%) African patients had macronodular cirrhosis. In the literature, 80% to 90% of American patients with HCC have cirrhosis. High serum ferritin levels in patients with HCC may be due to ferritin production by the tumor, or related to the associated iron overload and/or cirrhosis.