title: Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: The epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by marked differences between genders, ethnic groups, and geographic regions. These variations are explained by the nature, frequency, and time of acquisition of the major risk factors for cirrhosis--namely hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and alcoholic cirrhosis. The incidence and mortality of HCC has been rising in the US over the last two decades and is progressively affecting younger persons. The evidence indicates that HCV infection is responsible for the current trends.
authors.affiliation: Sections of Gastroenterology and Health Services Research, Houston VA Medical Center, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. hasheme@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: el-Serag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology