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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Current status of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States
1Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. azhu@partners.org.
Insights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and mortality are rising in the US, despite decreasing cancer deaths overall. Early diagnosis remains difficult, complicating treatment for many patients with liver cancer.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern and the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- While prevalent in Asia and Africa, the United States is experiencing distinct trends in HCC.
- Rising incidence and mortality rates for HCC in the US contrast with declining trends for other cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the key epidemiological trends of HCC in the United States.
- To highlight current challenges in early diagnosis and management of HCC.
- To discuss evolving treatment modalities and the role of multidisciplinary teams in HCC care.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current epidemiological data on HCC in the US.
- It examines diagnostic challenges and treatment advancements.
- The role of multidisciplinary care in managing HCC is also discussed.
Main Results:
- HCC incidence and mortality rates are increasing in the United States.
- Early diagnosis remains a significant challenge, with many patients presenting with unresectable disease.
- Treatment landscape is evolving with new therapies and increased emphasis on multidisciplinary team-based approaches.
Conclusions:
- HCC presents a growing challenge in the US, characterized by rising incidence and mortality.
- Improved early detection and advanced treatment strategies are crucial for managing this complex liver cancer.
- Multidisciplinary care is becoming essential for optimal HCC patient management.
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally. While most of the burden of HCC is borne in Southeast Asia, particularly China, and sub-Saharan Africa, there have been several interesting trends of HCC in the United States in the past decades. First, the latest epidemiology trend has shown that the incidence rates for HCC in the United States have been rising. While most cancer related mortality is decreasing in the United States, deaths from HCC are increasing and at a rate faster than deaths from any other types of cancer. Second, early diagnosis of HCC continues to be challenging and most patients would present with unresectable disease. Third, the management of HCC is evolving with many new treatment modalities applied in clinical practice. In addition, multidisciplinary team efforts with increasing role of oncologists have emerged in the management of HCC in most centers in the United States. In this review, the author will highlight the key trends and current status of HCC in the United States.
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