Solid Tumour Section

Eastern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are the most prevalent regions. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor. In some geographic areas (e.g. Asia, Southern Africa), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is also considered to be a significant etiologic factor. Exposure to dietary AFB1 and chronic HBV infection are synergistic risk factors in chinese areas of high-HCC incidence. HCC is also a late complication of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as observed in Western countries and Japan. The prevalence of cirrhosis in individuals with HCC and chronic hepatitis B or C is reported to be 80 and 75 % respectively. Other etiologic factors include being male (sex ratio M/F = 4/1), the use of sex hormones (both androgens and progestins) and conditions associated with chronic necroinflammatory liver disease and cirrhosis such as alcohol consumption or metabolic disorders of the liver (i.e. hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, citrullinemia or tyrosinemia).