Chapter 2

The Relationship between Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hai Li and Ji-D. Jia

Abstract

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the commonest solid organ tumors worldwide. Based on WHO data, HCC is the fifth most common malignancy in men and the ninth in women, accounting for approximately 5.6% of all human cancers [1]. Furthermore, HCC is rapidly fatal in the majority of patients, which makes its mortality nearly 100%. The majority of patients with HCC have underlying liver disease [2], therefore, HCC is regarded as a serious complication of chronic liver diseases, especially advanced liver fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. Not surprisingly, the incidence of HCC is linked closely to the prevalence of major causes of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, such as chronic viral hepatitis and excessive alcohol consumption [3, 4]. In this article，we will give a brief overview on the intimate relationship between liver fibrosis and HCC.

Total Pages: 3-7 (5)

Purchase Chapter  Book Details