Liver-Cell Adenomas Associated with Use of Oral Contraceptives

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Abstract
During the past six years an increasing number of liver-cell adenomas in women were diagnosed, and we undertook a study of possible etiologic faciors, including use of oral contraceptives, in 42 women. There was a significant difference between cases and matched controls in mean months of oral-contraceptive use: 73.4 as compared to 36.2 (P<0.001). The women with adenomas look mestranol-containing pills much more commonly than the controls (P<0.0001). Hemorrhage into the tumor was often associated with the onset of menstruation in women taking oral contraceptives. Long-term use of oral contraceptives, especially those containing a high total dose of steroids or mestranol as the synthetic estrogen, should be balanced against risks of side effects of the drugs. (N Engl J Med 294:470–472, 1976)