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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
12:24
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Carlos Romero Marrero1, Jorge A Marrero
1University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Archives of Medical Research
|July 7, 2007
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rapidly increasing cancer, primarily linked to chronic hepatitis B and C. Early detection through screening in high-risk patients with cirrhosis can improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Viral Hepatitis Research
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fifth most common global cancer and shows a concerning rise, largely due to chronic hepatitis B and C infections.
- Individuals with cirrhosis from viral hepatitis are at the highest risk for HCC development.
- Risk factors like alcohol, tobacco, obesity, and diabetes exacerbate HCC risk in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of viral hepatitis as a primary driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- To emphasize the importance of surveillance in at-risk populations for early HCC detection and improved survival.
- To underscore the diagnostic criteria for HCC in patients with cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on HCC incidence and trends.
- Analysis of risk factors contributing to HCC development in viral hepatitis patients.
- Evaluation of current surveillance strategies, including alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasound, for HCC in cirrhotic patients.
Main Results:
- Chronic hepatitis B and C are major contributors to the increasing incidence of HCC worldwide.
- Cirrhosis secondary to viral hepatitis is a key precursor for HCC.
- Established diagnostic criteria for HCC involve identifying an arterially enhancing mass in cirrhotic patients.
Conclusions:
- Viral hepatitis is a critical, preventable cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Surveillance in patients with cirrhosis, though shown to reduce survival, remains crucial for early diagnosis.
- Identifying and managing risk factors alongside viral hepatitis prevention are key strategies against HCC.
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