Your current patient is a 49-year-old man. You just performed a partial hepatic resection to remove a solitary 7-cm mass that was discovered by ultrasound. Histological examination of the biopsied mass indicates hepatocellular carcinoma. Genetic analysis indicates a mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in an area identified as a mutational "hot spot." Which of the following agents is the most likely carcinogen causing this patient's disease?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aflatoxin B1 is a known carcinogen associated with mutations in the p53 gene, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma.  Aflatoxin B1 is an aflatoxin produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic substances. When aflatoxins enter the body they are metabolized by the liver where the resultant compounds are highly carcinogenic due primarily from the induction of mutations in the p53 gene.

Your Current Patient Is a 49-Year-Old Man