Hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review.

Hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review. Panminerva Med. 2018 Jun 01;: Authors: Ružić M, Pellicano R, Fabri M, Luzza F, Boccuto L, Brkić S, Abenavoli L Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver carcinoma, accounting for about 80% of cases. In spite of advances in modern oncology, this neoplasia still holds the second place in overall cancer mortality. HCC is a multifactor disease: it results from accumulated oncogenic potentials made up of several groups of risk factors, the most significant of which is an infection with hepatotropic viruses. The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality across the world and affects 1.1% of worldwide population. It has been calculated that on average 2.5% of patients affected by chronic HCV infection develops HCC. Hepatocarcinogenesis is the result of the combination of superposing virus specific factors, immunological mechanisms, environmental factors and factors related to the individuals genetic background. Host-related factors include male gender, age of at least 50 years, family predisposition, obesity, advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and co-infection with other hepatotropic viruses and human immunodeficiency virus. Environmental factors include heavy alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking, and exposure to aflatoxin. In the era of interferon (IFN)-based therapy, the risk of HCC development aft...
Source: Panminerva Medica - Category: General Medicine Tags: Panminerva Med Source Type: research