A study conducted using the Florida Cancer Data System revealed that the causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vary significantly based on race and ethnicity. Key findings include:
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Decline: Rates of HCV-related HCC have decreased by 9.6% annually since 2015.
- Rise in Alcohol and NAFLD-Related HCC: HCC caused by alcohol-related disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has seen an increase, especially among Hispanic individuals. The rates have risen by 6% and 4.3% respectively from 2010 to 2018.
- Etiology Breakdown: Among 14,420 HCC cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2018, the main cause was HCV (46.6%), followed by NAFLD (27.2%), alcohol-related disease (13%), and hepatitis B virus (4.4%).
- Differences in Ethnic Groups: Puerto Rican men had the highest HCC rates, while Mexican women born outside the U.S. had the highest rates among women. The primary cause of HCC among men was HCV, while NAFLD was the leading cause among women.
- Awareness and Screening: Paulo S. Pinheiro, MD, PhD, emphasized the importance of primary care physicians adhering to CDC recommendations to screen all asymptomatic adults in the U.S. for HCV and HBV. Proper screening can lead to timely treatment and prevention of liver cancer.
The research underscores the need for a more tailored approach to liver cancer prevention and treatment based on race and ethnicity.