Alterations have been detected in several known genes, including deletion and downregulation of the tumour suppressor gene FHIT at 3p, amplification of the EMS1 oncogene at 11q, and high level amplification of the SMAD5 gene at 5q; these may be pathologically relevant to HCC and might be useful markers for early detection and prognosis of the disease (Yuan et al, 2000, 2003b; Zimonjic et al, 2003). The gene discussed is FHIT; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.