Hepatocellular carcinoma

Alternative names:

cancer of the liver; liver cancer; primary liver cell carcinoma; tumor - liver

Definition:

A malignant tumor of the liver.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 80 to 90% of all liver cancers. It occurs more often in men than women, and occurs mostly in people 50 to 60 years old. The disease is more prevalent in parts of Africa and Asia than in North and South America and Europe. The cause of liver cancer is unknown, but contributing factors include chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis, hemochromatosis, known liver (hepatic) carcinogens, and toxins (mycotoxins) found in foods in parts of Africa and Asia. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people.