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Review
. 2025 Jul 24;16(7):107723.
doi: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i7.107723.

Lifestyle factors in hepatocellular carcinoma: From pathogenesis to prognosis

He Zhao  1 , Xiao-Wu Zhang  2 , Xiao Li  2
Affiliations
Review

Lifestyle factors in hepatocellular carcinoma: From pathogenesis to prognosis

He Zhao et al. World J Clin Oncol. .

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health burden, ranking third as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This comprehensive review examines the substantial body of evidence linking modifiable lifestyle factors to HCC pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. We systematically evaluate dietary components, alcohol consumption patterns, tobacco use, physical activity levels, and emerging factors including metabolic disorders, psychological stress, and sleep disturbances. These factors collectively influence hepatocarcinogenesis through diverse biological mechanisms, including genotoxic damage, metabolic dysregulation, chronic inflammatory responses, and gut microbiome-mediated pathways. The accumulated data underscore the urgent need to integrate lifestyle interventions into multidisciplinary HCC management.

Keywords: Behavioral modification; Dietary factors; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Lifestyle; Pathogenesis; Physical activity; Prognosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hepatocellular carcinoma and lifestyle. AFB1: Aflatoxin B1; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; PUFA: Polyunsaturated fatty acids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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