Shifting Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Far Eastern and Southeast Asian Patients: Explanations and Implications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Liver cancer is a major health burden globally with high rates in the Far East and Southeast Asia. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus remain the major causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide; however, the epidemiology is changing. Here, we review the changing epidemiological changes among Far East and Southeast Asians and among Asian Americans in the USA.

RECENT FINDINGS: HBV- and HCV-induced HCC is anticipated to decline in incidence. In contrast, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-induced HCC will outrank viral hepatitis in the next decade. Alcoholic liver disease will remain a persistent risk factor for HCC. These epidemiological shifts might have implications for the care of patients with HCC as described in this review. Societal changes are impacting the global incidence of HCC and will likely also impact the care of patients with this malignancy.