HCV and liver cancer: the epidemiological evidence

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver cancer in the developed areas of the world. It is estimated that over 100 million individuals are chronically infected with the virus worldwide and are at high risk of progression to liver disease and liver cancer. Exposure to contaminated blood and blood products, mother-to-child transmission, and exposure to infected household contacts are risk factors for infection. About half of the community-acquired infections are acquired by uncertain routes.