Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction

Primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of mortality among patients with chronic liver disease. The incidence of primary liver cancer is rising in India and is poised to become the leading GI cancer. Most Indian patients do not have access to the expensive treatment of HCC as suggested by these guidelines. In addition, awareness on prevention of HCC, screening of the high risk groups, early diagnosis of HCC and various curative as well as palliative treatment options available for HCC is sub-optimal among the primary and secondary healthcare providers in India.

Epidemiology Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) In India

• The age adjusted incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in India for men ranges from 0.7 to 7.5and for women 0.2 to 2.2 per 100,000 of population peryear. (Evidence-2a)
• Themale:female ratio for HCC in India is 4:1. (Evidence-2a)
• The age of presentation varies from 40 to 70 years. (Evidence-2a)
• The age standardized mortality rate for HCC in Indiafor men is 6.8/100,000 and for women is 5.1/100,000.(Evidence-2b)
• The incidence of HCC in cirrhotics in India is 1.6% peryear. (Evidence-2b)
• The incidence of HCC is increasing in India. (Evidence-1b)