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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
09:15
Vinyl Chloride and High-Fat Diet as a Model of Environment and Obesity Interaction
Published on: January 12, 2020
Vinyl chloride and the liver
1Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rm. # NCSB 11C 1252, 585 University Avenue, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5G 2N2. morris.sherman@uhn.on.ca
Journal of Hepatology
|October 20, 2009
Summary
Vinyl chloride exposure is linked to liver angiosarcoma. Current evidence is insufficient to prove vinyl chloride monomer causes hepatocellular carcinoma, with confounding factors unassessed.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Hepatology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a known human carcinogen, primarily linked to angiosarcoma of the liver.
- Recent studies suggest a possible link between VCM exposure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the evidence supporting the hypothesis that vinyl chloride monomer exposure causes hepatocellular carcinoma.
- To assess the completeness and adequacy of existing data on VCM and HCC.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on vinyl chloride monomer exposure and liver cancer.
- Analysis of diagnostic certainty and assessment of confounding factors in largest available studies.
- Evaluation of risk estimates based on extensive occupational exposure data.
Main Results:
- Data supporting VCM-induced hepatocellular carcinoma is incomplete, with inadequate diagnostic ascertainment.
- Confounding factors like viral hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease could not be assessed in major studies.
- The observed increase in risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, if any, is minimal, despite extensive observation periods.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesis that vinyl chloride monomer causes or contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma remains unproven based on current data.
- Further research with improved diagnostic criteria and control for confounding factors is needed to definitively assess the VCM-HCC link.
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