We determined the genotype of four proposed genetic risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma [hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE 63 and 282), alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT 342) and cystic fibrosis (CFTR 508)] on formalin-fixed tissue samples, stored for up to 25 years, from 318 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and on plasma or serum samples from 31 of these patients.