Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma due to aflatoxin infested areca nut consumption-a review

Abstract

Author(s): Suwarna Dangore Khasbage, Rahul R. Bhowate, Swapnil C. Mohod, Mrunal Meshram

Areca nut (AN) consumption is a practice of great antiquity in India and reported to be consumed by 20 to 30% of the Indian population in last 2-3 decades. Various mechanisms have been reported with reference to its adverse effects on the liver, one of which could be ingestion of aflatoxin infected AN, as aflatoxin B1 is a known hepatotoxin. Reports are available stating that the most of the ANs available in the market are substandard and contaminated with cancer- causing fungus and chewing of such poor quality, infested ANs would definitely pose severe health problems on human beings in a long time. But, to our knowledge scanty literature is available reporting the role of aflatoxin infested AN on risk of liver cancer. The evolution of such risk factors provides insight into understanding of the future burden of the disease.

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