Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

While this review will critically examine the evidence that hepatitis B (HBV) is causally related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we must not forget that other factors may also be involved. In our current state of knowledge, any discussion of hepatocellular carcinogenesis must also consider the role of certain chemicals and toxins, alcohol and hormones, and the significance of cirrhosis. Complex inter-relationships exist between these various factors. Some of these will be referred to as appropriate to the specific topic of hepatitis B oncogenesis. For more extensive accounts, however, reference should be made to the list of publications appended to this paper. These, in the main, are review articles from which, however, the original publications are readily obtained.