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Hepatocellular carcinoma

Definition:
Hepatocellular carcinoma involves a malignant tumor of the liver.

Alternative Names:
Primary liver cell carcinoma; Tumor - liver; Liver cancer; Cancer - liver

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 80% to 90% of all liver cancers. It occurs more often in men than women and occurs mostly in people 50 to 60 years old. The disease is more common in parts of Africa and Asia than in North and South America and Europe.

The cause of liver cancer is unknown, but contributing factors include chronicliver disease, viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis B and C), hemochromatosis, known hepatic (liver) carcinogens, and toxins (mycotoxins) found in foods in parts of Africa and Asia. The incidence is about 4 in 10,000 people.



Review Date: 8/2/2002
Reviewed By: Scott Howard, M.D., M.S., Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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