What is a risk factor for hepatic adenoma?

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Estrogen exposure from combined oral contraceptives is a classic risk factor for hepatic adenoma because estrogen stimulates hepatocyte proliferation, promoting the growth of these benign liver tumors. The association is strongest in women of reproductive age and tends to correlate with duration and dose of estrogen; stopping the hormonal contraceptive often reduces the risk of progression and may lead to regression of small lesions. Pregnancy can also accelerate growth or increase the risk of hemorrhage in known adenomas due to hormonal and hemodynamic changes.

The other options align with different liver conditions: alcohol abuse is more linked to fatty liver disease and cirrhosis rather than hepatic adenoma; chronic hepatitis C infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma after years of inflammation and cirrhosis; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease involves fat accumulation in the liver rather than the development of hepatic adenomas.