Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of the Liver: Possible Relationship to Oral Contraceptives

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Abstract
The possible association between oral contraceptives and benign hepatomas has recently been reported. A study of three hepatic masses, all surgically resected, leads us to the conclusion that our lesions represent focal nodular hyperplasia, and may be similar to those reported as adenomas. The possibility that the vascular changes found in these lesions play an etiologic role is suggested. The vascular lesions, in turn, could be related to oral contraceptives. A fairly definite syndrome consisting of oral contraceptive ingestion, intrahepatic or intraperitoneal hemorrhage, or both, shock or syncope, acute abdomen, and focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver (or benign hepatoma) has predominated in the cases thus far reported.