Epidemiology

Worldwide, HCC is the sixth most common cause of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. The global incidence of HCC varies according to the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Overall, 44% of HCC cases worldwide are attributable to chronic HBV infection, with the majority of cases occurring in Asia.[1]

In the US, liver cancer incidence more than tripled in the past four decades; the incidence has stabilised in men since 2015 but continues to increase in women by 2% every year.[2] HCC is the most common type of liver cancer and accounts for 75% to 86% of cases.[3]​ The age distribution of HCC in the US has also shifted toward younger ages, with a proportional increase in those aged 45-60 years.[4]​ In 2012, the age-adjusted incidence of HCC in the US was 6.7 per 100,000.[5] In the EU, in 2012, the estimated incidence rate was 10.0 per 100,000 in men and 3.3 per 100,000 in women.[6][7]​​ The increased incidence in men may be due to sex-specific prevalence of risk factors, including the trophic effects of androgens.[8][9]​​ In the UK, HCC is the cause of death in over 5000 patients a year.[10] Mean age at diagnosis of HCC is 60 years in the US and Europe, 50-60 years in Asia, and 46 years in Africa.[4][11]​​​​​[12]

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