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Review
. 2012 May 8:4:19-37.
doi: 10.2147/HMER.S16316.

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

Renumathy Dhanasekaran  1 , Alpna Limaye  1 , Roniel Cabrera  1
Affiliations
Review

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

Renumathy Dhanasekaran et al. Hepat Med. .

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy in developing countries and its incidence is on the rise in the developing world. The epidemiology of this cancer is unique since its risk factors, including hepatitis C and B, have been clearly established. The current trends in the shifting incidence of HCC in different regions of the world can be explained partly by the changing prevalence of hepatitis. Early detection offers the only hope for curative treatment for patients with HCC, hence effective screening strategies for high-risk patients is of utmost importance. Liver transplantation and surgical resection remains the cornerstone of curative treatment. But major advances in locoregional therapies and molecular-targeted therapies for the treatment of advanced HCC have occurred recently. In this review, current trends in the worldwide epidemiology, surveillance, diagnosis, standard treatments, and the emerging therapies for HCC are discussed.

Keywords: TACE; hepatitis C; liver cancer; sorafenib.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age-standardized incidence rates of liver cancer (per 100,000 persons) in different regions of the world in 2008 based on international Agency for Research on Cancer GLOBOCAN 2008 report. Note: Copyright © 2010. Adapted with permission from John Wiley and Sons. Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C, Parkin DM. Estimates of worldwide burden of cancer in 2008: GLOBOCAN 2008. Int J Cancer. 2010;127(12):2893–2917. Abbreviation: US, United States.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-adjusted incidence rates of liver cancer (per 100,000) in the United States based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database from 1975–2008.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimate of total new infections of hepatitis C in the United States. Based on the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control report from 1982–2008. Abbreviation: HCV, hepatitis C virus.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Risk factors for developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Abbreviations: HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Diagnostic algorithm to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma as recommended by the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases 2010 practice guidelines. Notes: Copyright © 2005. Reprinted with permission from John Wiley and Sons. Bruix J, Sherman M. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology. 2005;42(5):1208–1236. Updated July 2010. Available from: www.aasld.org/practiceguidelines/Documents/Bookmarked%20Practice%20Guidelines/HCCUpdate2010.pdf. Accessed February 20, 2012. Abbreviation: HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.
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