Relationship Between Ochratoxin and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, also called malignant hepatoma) is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitis infection (hepatitis B or C) or cirrhosis (alcoholism being the most common cause of liver cirrhosis) (Kumar et al., 2003). The main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma are Alcoholism, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C (25% of causes globally). Aflatoxin, Cirrhosis of the liver, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (if progression to cirrhosis has occurred), Hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease (while some theorise the risk increases, case studies are rare and suggest the opposite where Wilson's disease actually may confer protection, Type 2 diabetes (probably aided by obesity), Hemophilia (Tanaka et al., 2011). The risk factors which are most important varies widely from country to country. In countries where Hepatitis B is endemic, such as China, Hepatitis B will be the predominant cause of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Whereas in countries, such as the United States, where Hepatitis B is rare because of high vaccination rates, the