Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asia: A Challenging Situation (original) (raw)
Related papers
Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asia
Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology research, 2014
The dominant form of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its incidence varies widely among different geographical areas (from 50 per 100,000 males/year), reaching peak values in some countries of Southeast Asia. The incidence, prevalence and risk factors of HCC exhibit marked differences among different countries of Asia and also among different regions of the same country. The numbers of patients with HCC are increasing in many Asian countries. It is expected that the incidence of HCC will also increase in the foreseeable future because the burden of chronic liver disease is increasing owing to increasing rates of hepatitis B and C prevalence, obesity-related fatty liver diseases, alcoholism, and other risk factors. Better understandings about epidemiology and risk factors of HCC in Asian countries would allow development of more effective control and management strategies against HCC in these countries.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in Asia: Prevention strategy and planning
World Journal of Hepatology, 2015
AIM: To review all of epidemiological and etiological aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and examined the prevention of this disease in Asia. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. We were chosen articles that published previously, from PubMed (MEDLINE), the Cochrane database and Scopus. The key words used in this research were as follows: HCC in Asia and the way of prevention of this disease, with no language limitations. We selected those papers published before 2014 that we considered to be most important and appropriate. All relevant articles were accessed in full text and all relevant materials was evaluated and reviewed.
Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Clinics in Liver Disease, 2005
Although rare in Canada and the United States, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the eighth most common cancer in the world. High-risk regions are East and Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Independent of race and geography, rates in men are at least two to three times those in women; this sex ratio is more pronounced in high-risk regions. Rates of HCC in the United States have increased by 70% over the past two decades. Registry data in Canada and Western Europe show similar trends. In contrast, the incidence of HCC in Singapore and Shanghai, China, both high-risk regions, has declined steadily over the past two decades. Among white and black Americans, there is an inverse relationship between social class status and HCC incidence. Chronic infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is by far the most important risk factor for HCC in humans. It is estimated that 80% of HCC worldwide is etiologically associated with HBV. In the United States, although the infection rate in the general population is low, HBV is estimated to account for one in four cases of HCC among non-Asians. Chronic infection by the hepatitis C virus is another important risk factor for HCC in the United States; however, this virus is believed to play a relatively minor role in the development of HCC in Africa and Asia. Dietary aflatoxin exposure is an important codeterminant of HCC risk in Africa and parts of Asia. In Canada and the United States, excessive alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use in women also are risk factors for HCC.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia pacific region
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2009
Primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant disease worldwide. It is among the top three causes of cancer death in the Asia Pacific region because of the high prevalence of its main etiological agents, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. In this region, the incidence of HCC has been static over recent decades. Older age is a major risk factor; the incidence increasing sharply after age 40 years. There is a male predilection, with male to female ratio of 3:1, except in elderly Japanese with equal sex incidence or female predominance. In most Asia-Pacific countries, chronic HBV infection accounts for 75-80% of cases; Japan, Singapore and Australia/New Zealand are exceptions because of higher prevalence of HCV infection. In spite of advances in surgery, liver transplantation and newer pharmaco/ biological therapies, the survival rate has improved only slightly over recent decades, and this could be attributable to earlier diagnosis ('lead-time bias'). The majority of patients present with advanced diseases, hence reducing the chance of curative treatment. The importance of HCC may decrease in two to three decades when the prevalence of chronic HBV infection decreases as a result of the universal HBV vaccination programs implemented in late 1980s in most Asia-Pacific countries, and because of reduced incidence of medical transmission of HCV. However, transmission of HCV by injection drug use, and rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, both independent risk factors for HCC, may partly offset this decline.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Part 1: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Pathogenesis, and Pathology
European medical journal, 2017
This review will cover the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and pathology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and second most frequent cancer-related cause of mortality worldwide. In females, it is the seventh most frequently diagnosed malignancy and sixth leading cause of death. The incidence of HCC is higher among males in less developed countries and reaches a peak around the age of 70 years. The rates of liver cancer are twice as high in males compared to females. 1,2 Various risk factors, including environmental, infectious, nutritional, and metabolic, are associated with HCC; among them viral infection has been linked to being the highest risk factor for developing HCC. HCC is a highly vascular tumour and its pathogenesis consists of increasing angiogenesis by overexpression of various growth factors. Another cause of HCC development is thought to be mutations in different signalling pathways that lead to proliferation of the tumour cells.
Translational cancer research, 2013
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is no longer a disease of the Eastern hemisphere. HCC incidence has tripled in the United States in the past two decades. It is the fastest rising cause of cancer mortality in the U.S. and in parts of Western Europe. In the past the HCC epidemic was fueled by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) seen mainly in Asia via horizontal transmission. In this decade, we are experiencing a rising tide due to the maturation of the Hepatitis C epidemic related to contaminated blood products and, more importantly, intravenous drug experimentation. As the obesity epidemic sweeps across the west the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its inflammatory component nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are becoming the harbinger of HCC yet to come. Worldwide, the incidence of HCC equals the mortality. Five year survival is at best 12%. These grim statistics underscore the need for earlier detection through screening resulting in initiation of early treatment ...