The impact of nucleos(t)ide analog therapy in hepatitis B on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma: an update including recent literature findings

Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In men, it is the fifth most common cancer and seventh most common in women;HCC is the second highest cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is less prevalent in the USA and Northern Europe and more prevalent in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia. Over 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year - half of which occur in China - and result in roughly the same number of deaths per year. HCC significantly impairs quality of life and is associated with great costs to society. It is estimated that half of the deaths from HCC are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Fortunately, HBV vaccination and antiviral therapy have shown excellent efficacy in decreasing the incidence of HCC. We will discuss the relationship of HBV to HCC, address available treatments for HBV and the impact of treatment on the development of HCC.