ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest malignant tumour worldwide, but the seventh most common tumour in western men. Chronic hepatitis B and C infection are strongly associated, and the increasing incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the West is likely to account for the increasing frequency of HCC. There is a large geographical variation in frequency, with parts of Africa and the Far East having the highest incidence. Cirrhosis (predominantly secondary to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, haemochromatosis and alcohol) is associated with 60% of cases of HCC in the West. It is hoped the increasing use of hepatitis B vaccination for susceptible people will reduce the incidence.
