Characteristics of Hepatitis B Virus Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Patients

Abstract

iver cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death globally. Hepatocellular carcinoma represents about 90% of primary liver cancers and constitutes a major global health problem. Since HCC usually develops in a damaged liver, the prognosis of HCC depends not only on tumor progression but also on the degree of liver dysfunction. In Egypt, liver cancer forms 23.81% of the total malignancies. HCC constitutes 70.48% of all liver tumors among Egyptians. Approximately 70%–90% of patients with HCC have an established background of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, with major risk factors for developing cirrhosis including chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcoholic liver disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).