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 stabilized 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 ages 45-60 years.[4] In 2012, the age-adjusted incidence of HCC in the US was 6.7 per 100,000.[5] HCC is more common among men than in women, which may be due to sex-specific prevalence of risk factors including the trophic effects of androgens.[6][7]​​ 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][8]​​​​​[9]

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