Risk factors and management strategies of liver cancer

Abstract

Liver cancer is one of the most common causes of global death, with a higher incidence in men than women. The morbidity of liver cancer is highest in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, and it is increasing gradually in other regions. The risk factors for liver cancer mainly include chronic HBV and HCV infection, alcoholism, obesity, aflatoxin exposure, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. In addition, there is evidence that diet plays an important role in the development of liver cancer. Most of the primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while the rest is intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Imaging and laboratory tests are effective diagnostic methods for HCC. Hepatectomy is the most preferred treatment for liver cancer, followed by liver transplantation, local ablation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and natural compound therapy. Monitoring high-risk individuals with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis could facilitate better long-term outcomes for HCC patients. This paper analyzes the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of liver cancer to provide the research perspective for future studies.