Hepatocellular carcinoma: current trends in worldwide epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis and therapeutics

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Aug;3(4):353-67. doi: 10.1586/egh.09.35.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and, owing to changes in the prevalence of the two major risk factors, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, its overall incidence remains alarmingly high in the developing world and is steadily rising across most of the developed world. Early diagnosis remains the key to effective treatment and there have been recent advances in both the diagnosis and therapy of HCC, which have made important impacts on the disease. This review outlines the epidemiological trends, risk factors, diagnostic developments and novel therapeutics for HCC, both in the developing and developed world.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Developed Countries
  • Developing Countries
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Global Health*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor