Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS) Practice Exam

Estrogen therapy is a recognized risk factor for the development of liver cell adenomas. These benign tumors of the liver are particularly associated with long-term estrogen exposure. This can occur in women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy that contains estrogen. The underlying mechanism involves the influence of estrogen on liver cell growth and proliferation.

In the context of liver health, prolonged exposure to elevated estrogen levels can lead to the proliferation of liver cells, increasing the risk of tumor formation. This has been observed in various studies that demonstrate a correlation between estrogen exposure and liver adenomas, particularly in premenopausal women who are on continuous estrogen therapy.

While other hormone therapies listed, such as thyroid hormone replacement, progestin therapy, and insulin therapy, do have their own risk profiles and associated disorders, they are not directly linked to the formation of liver cell adenomas in the same significant way as estrogen therapy. Therefore, the strongest association for liver cell adenoma risk is with estrogen therapy, making it the most relevant answer in this context.