Prevention of primary liver cancer

Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and is now one of the leading causes of cancer in the world. Chronic Hepatitis B carriage is now recognised to contribute to at least 80% of the liver cancers seen today. Hepatic toxins (such as Aflatoxin) are responsible for a smaller proportion of HCC and may have an additional synergistic effect in Aflatoxin-endemic areas where HCC occurs early. Prevention and control programmes require control of Aflatoxins and hepatic carcinogen contamination of human food material (from direct or indirect sources), and the control and prevention of Hepatitis B transmission to prevent the carrier state. Opportunities to treat the chronic carrier state may be possible in the future, since there have been considerable advances in genetic engineering and molecular biology in the last few years.