Hepatocarcinoma: estado actual

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma ranks among the most common primary liver malignancy and the sixth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. More than 500.000 cases are diagnosed each year making this pathology the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. This disease affects almost exclusively to chronic liver patients who have developed cirrhosis, especially the one related to hepatitis B and C virus infection. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading cause of death in this group. The incidence of Hepatocellular carcinoma varies widely according to geographic location. Incidence rates from 2 to more than 50 cases per 100.000 inhabitants per year have been described. These differences in the distribution of HC are probably due to regional variations in the exposure to different risk factors and viral genotypes. The most prevalent areas include Southeastern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa where hepatitis B viral infection is endemic. The hepatocellular carcinoma incidence is increasing worldwide. This includes western countries due to the increased spread of hepatitis C virusinfection in the mid 1960s and 1970s, combined with an increase in excesive alcohol consumption in that area. The high complexity that distiguish both this neoplasm and the pathology which has been closely related to, deserves a multidisciplinary approach with multiple medical and surgical specialties to guarantee an appropiate management.