The epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Documentation of the wide geographical variation in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has led to the clear identification of several risk factors. These include chronic infection with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C and exposure to aflotoxin. All these agents may cause hepatocellular carcinoma but how they interact and how they are related to cirrhosis, which underlies most cases, remains an area of active research. Intervention programmes, most notably immunization against hepatitis B, are now under way and a marked decrease in incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma can be anticipated in the early part of the next century.
Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
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Johnson
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000009:adverse effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D003710:Demography; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013911:Thorium Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects
D000348:Aflatoxins; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D013911:Thorium Dioxide