title: [Epidemiology and risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased over the past decades as a result of alcoholic liver disease, the metabolic syndrome and the increasing incidence of viral hepatitis B and C.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An evaluation of the epidemiology of HCC, presentation and discussion of the risk factors for the development of HCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was based on a literature review, analysis of the statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO), discussion of current basic research and expert recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that HCC already represents the fifth most common malignancy in men and the ninth most common malignancy in women, and the incidence is still rising. The pronounced regional differences in prevalence and underlying risk factors are mainly, but not exclusively, due to the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major medical problem. Primary prevention measures and suitable screening algorithms are gaining more and more importance.
authors: Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Güthle
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Dollinger
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000401:mortality*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D038622:Internationality; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000401:mortality*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000401:mortality*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate