Abstract
The descriptive epidemiology of liver diseases in Yamanashi prefecture is reviewed with special emphasis on time trends. Age-adjusted death rates for liver cancer in males is increasing, but other data of SMR are showing gradual decreases. In the endemic area of schistosomiasis, SMR of liver cancer and cirrhosis in males are both increasing. The relationship between schistosome and liver cancer is also reviewed. The indirect theory seems to be accepted rather than the direct theory. However, further studies are necessary.
