Nontransplant treatment of tyrosinemia.

NTBC treatment has greatly improved the survival of patients with acute tyrosinemia and has reduced the need for liver transplantation during early childhood. In patients in whom treatment with NTBC was started early in life, 2 cases (1%) of HCC have occurred during the first year of treatment, but no further cases have occurred among these patients, who have been followed for up to 9 years. In patients with late start of NTBC treatment, there is a considerable risk for liver malignancy. The risk for malignancy in this group of patients must be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into account the phenotype and clinical status of the patient. Porphyric crises are not seen in patients who comply with the medication regimen. NTBC is a well-tolerated drug with few adverse effects.