TP53 and hepatocellular carcinoma: The codon 249 p53 mutation has been detected in up to 50% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases from regions highly exposed to AFB1 such as Qidong and Tongan in China, India, Southern Africa, The Gambia, Mozambique and Senegal (Katiyar et al. 2000; Kirk et al. 2000; Rashid et al. 1999; Shimizu et al. 1999; Yang et al. 1997).