Risk Factors
Risk Factors and the development of HCC
A major risk factor for the development of HCC is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is an ongoing liver disease that involves the repeated breakdown and repair of liver tissue, eventually leading to a loss of liver function. Genetic mistakes that occur during this process can lead to the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells.2
Several different factors can lead to cirrhosis; most common are hepatitis B and C viral infections, excess alcohol consumption, mold toxins (aflatoxins), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.1
HCC can also be caused directly by hepatitis B infections, as well as the use of anabolic steroids and hereditary illnesses.2
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Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) – Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted by exposure to blood, bodily fluids or blood products through contaminated blood transfusions or shared needles, through sexual contact, or from mother to child at or soon after birth. HBV is more prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan) and Africa.10, 11
- The risk for developing liver cancer is increased by chronic infection with hepatitis B. In fact, more than 50 percent of liver cancer cases are due to persistent viral infection with HBV.12
- Hepatitis B virus infection can be prevented by a vaccine, providing more than 90 percent protection for both adults and children.11
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) – Hepatitis C is another serious infection that attacks the liver. HCV is transmitted primarily through direct exposure to infected blood through an opening in the skin or mucous membrane. It can also be spread by contact with an infected person’s blood through contaminated transfusions, shared needles, sexual contact or from mother to child during birth. The HCV causes inflammation of the liver that results in damage to liver tissue.10. 13
- HCV is one of the main risk factors for the development of HCC in the United States, Europe and Japan.10
- It is expected that the number of HCV-related HCC cases will continue to rise over the next two decades due to the long period of time between viral exposure and the development of HCC.14
- More than 25 percent of liver cancer cases are due to persistent infection with this virus.12
- HIV co-Infection with hepatitis virus: HIV patients infected with hepatitis C have approximately a five times greater risk of developing HCC than patients infected with HIV alone.15
- Hepatitis C viral infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with the blood of an infected person, primarily through sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs.13
- Excessive alcohol consumption2
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a range of conditions characterized by fat accumulation in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol.16
- Primary causes of NAFLD include: obesity, diabetes and high triglyceride levels.16, 17
- The mildest type is simple fatty liver (steatosis), an accumulation of fat within the liver that usually causes no liver damage.17
- A potentially more serious type, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is associated with liver-damaging inflammation and, in certain instances, the formation of fibrous tissue.17
- Estimates suggest NASH may affect as many as one-third of adults in the US.17
- The best defense against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is to maintain a healthy weight and normal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, along with avoiding excess alcohol and other substances that could be harmful to the liver.17
- Aflatoxicosis - Aflatoxicosis is poisoning resulting from eating food contaminated with aflatoxins. The toxins are produced by a mold that grows in walnuts, seeds and legumes in Asia and Africa.1, 10
- Diabetes: Current research has shown that people with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing HCC.18 Furthermore, diabetes doubles the risk of liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis C with advanced fibrosis, or cirrhosis.19
