Liver cancer represents a major health problem with steadily increasing incidence rates. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death. This study was conducted in order to investigate the gross findings following treatment with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in mice. Sixteen male and female mice (B6C3F₁), initially 20 days of age, received intraparietal injection (20 mg/kg three times for a period of two weeks, IP) or were given drinking water (DW) containing 50 ppm DEN; all mice were sacrificed at the 80^th week of experiments. Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) and HCC were induced in B6C3F₁), mice by administration of DEN. The numbers of HCA and HCC were 7.4±1.72 (IP) and 7.2±0.86 (DW) in male mice. However, no significant difference was observed between the DW and IP groups. The numbers of HCA and HCC were 0.67±0.33 (IP) and 2.0±0.63 (DW) in female mice. This study showed a tendency for high incidences of liver tumor with long-term exposure of newborn animals by drinking water.

• Jin Seok Kang(Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Namseoul University)
• Kyoung Mo Yang(College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Tae Jin Shim(College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Tae Myoung Kim(College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Dae Joong Kim(College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) Corresponding author