hepatoma

a malignant TUMOUR of the LIVER , which is rare in Western countries except among those with CIRRHOSIS . It is common in parts of the Far East and Africa, and a suspected cause is the aflatoxin, or poison, produced by a fungus that contaminates stored peanuts and cereals. The cancer often produces alpha fetoprotein, which is detectable in the blood and is an indicator of the presence of the malignancy.