To investigate the influence of alcohol intake on tumor growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with type C cirrhosis, we examined the tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) of 35 nodules from 35 cases of HCC, calculated through ultrasonographic imaging. The patients were divided into two groups according to their drinking habit; 21 habitual drinkers (alcohol group; 80g ethanol/day for 5 years), and 14 patients without alcohol abuse (non alcoholic group). The average value of TVDT in the alcoholic group was 78 +/- 47 days, although that of the non alcoholic group was 142 +/- 60 days. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the two groups. Of the 21 habitual alcohol drinkers, 8 refrained from drinking after detection of HCC; their TVDT was about 30 days shorter than those who continued alcohol intake. In conclusion we found that alcohol intake was closely related to the tumor growth of HCC in patients with type C cirrhosis.