Epidemiology and Etiology of HCC — the Hepatitis Connection

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma varies widely in different countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite this, chronic viral hepatitis infection is the most important etiological association. The mechanism of viral-related carcinogenesis is discussed. We also review the epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma with special reference to viral hepatitis in three countries in the Asia-Pacific region with different rates (high, intermediate and low) of hepatocellular carcinoma. As the most significant cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region is related to viral hepatitis, there is hope that the incidence will decline in the future with the control and treatment of viral hepatitis.