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The secret of liver cancer: Why is the death rate so alarming in some areas?
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major liver cancers in adults and is currently the most common cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. According to the World Health Organization, HCC is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Many cases occur in people with chronic liver disease, particularly those with cirrhosis or fibrosis. These diseases are often associated with chronic liver damage and inflammation, and HCC is very rare in people without chronic liver disease.
As the number of people with chronic liver disease continues to increase, it is critical to understand the risk factors for HCC and why mortality rates are so alarming in certain regions.
According to current research, risk factors for HCC include chronic viral hepatitis (such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH), alcoholic liver disease, and exposure to toxins such as aflatoxin. In particular, hepatitis B is particularly serious in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, while the incidence and survival rate of HCC after treatment in these regions are relatively low.
In higher-income countries, such as the United States, the number of HCC cases is increasing along with the rise in hepatitis C infection. In addition, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, largely due to an increase in risk factors such as diabetes and obesity.
HCC is more than three times more common in men than in women, but the exact reasons are unclear.
HCC symptoms and early warning signs
Most HCC patients already show symptoms of chronic liver disease when they develop cancer, such as abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and even jaundice and other liver disease-related symptoms. Such symptoms can easily mislead patients, causing them to fail to detect cancer early, thus delaying treatment.
Analysis of risk factors for HCC
Since HCC mainly occurs in patients with cirrhosis, the resulting chronic liver disease factors account for a large part of the risk factors. Factors such as heavy alcohol consumption and viral hepatitis are considered to be the main causes of cirrhosis and promote the development of HCC. Chronic hepatitis B and C, in particular, are associated with 80% of HCC cases worldwide.
Previous studies have shown that patients with diabetes have a higher risk of HCC, and this phenomenon may be related to poor blood sugar control.
Diagnostic Approach and Screening Recommendations
With the advancement of medical imaging technology, the diagnostic methods of HCC have also made significant progress. Diagnosis usually involves blood tests and imaging evaluation. In many cases, imaging findings are sufficient to diagnose HCC, eliminating the need for a tissue biopsy.
When a liver mass is found, imaging tests such as CT or MRI can provide critical information to help doctors determine whether the lesion is malignant.
Monitoring of high-risk groups
For those at high risk, regular monitoring, including ultrasound scans every six months, can significantly increase the likelihood of early diagnosis.
Therapeutic and preventive potential
Treatment of HCC varies depending on the stage of the disease, the patient's physical condition, and whether surgery is an option. In some early-stage cases, surgical removal of the tumor may be an effective treatment, while in more mature cases, a liver transplant or other treatments may be needed to provide relief to the patient.
The key to preventing HCC is to stop the spread of the hepatitis virus, so vaccination and regular screening of patients with chronic liver disease are necessary measures.
Overall, the development of HCC involves multiple factors, which vary significantly in different regions. Continued exploration and understanding of these changes is critical to improving global health. So, can we effectively reduce the morbidity and mortality of this deadly disease in the future?
