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BOOK REVIEW |
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| Year : 1995 | Volume
: 49
| Issue : 2 | Page : 35 |
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Book Review-1
DD Banker
,
Correspondence Address:
D D Banker
,
How to cite this article:
Banker D D. Book Review-1. Indian J Med Sci 1995;49:35 |
IARC MONOGRAPH ON THE EVALUATION OF CARCINOGENIC RISKS TO HUMANS - VOLUME 59 - HEPATITIS VIRUSES. - International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France 1994, pp. 286. Price SW.F.65.
In 1969, the IARC initiated a programme on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. Later the programme was expanded to include complex mixtures and other agents. The monographs are prepared with the help of international experts. This monograph deals with three human hepatotropic viruses which can have a chronic course, namely hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and D (HDV). Chronic infection with HBV is prevalent in many human populations, particularly in developing countries, to the extent that over 300 million are affected worldwide. The global incidence of primary cancer of the liver was estimated at about 300,000 cases in 1985. Regarding HCV, 0.5-2% of people in most parts of the world have serological evidence o~ past or current infection. Acute infection leads to chronic liver disease in about 50% of symptomatic patients. HDV requires the presence of genetic information from HBsAg for its replication and is hence closely associated with HBV infection. The monograph has included for each of the three viruses the structure and biological data, epidemiology, clinical features and studies on liver cancer in humans. Numerous references have been provided. The final evaluation is that there is sufficient evidence to establish carcinogenicity of HBV and HCV among humans, while for HDV the evidence available is insufficient. The monograph will be useful for those engaged in research on hepatic cancer.
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