[A national project for the management of viral hepatitis toward prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan]

Abstract

Annual incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) keeps increasing during the past 30 years in Japan, most of which represents the end-stage disease of persistent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To cope with this dire situation, a 5-year national project was launched since April 2002 for the management of viral hepatitis toward eventual prevention of HCC in Japan. This project is based on robust data on the epidemiology of chronic hepatitis and HCC induced by persistent HCV infection that have gained in the past 10 years by untiring efforts. It has been thrust by rapid advancement in diagnosis and treatment of HCC, and is targeted on the Japanese aged 40 years or older who are at increased risk of developing HCC. Further efforts are required to arouse concerns and attract commitment in the public, for an increased compliance to screening. At the same time, the national system has to be worked out for following up HCV carriers for immediate treatment of those who are found with liver disease.