Editorial
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2010; 16(29): 3603-3615
Published online Aug 7, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i29.3603
Non-viral causes of hepatocellular carcinoma
Wojciech Blonski, David S Kotlyar, Kimberly A Forde
Wojciech Blonski, Kimberly A Forde, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
Wojciech Blonski, Department of Gastroenterology, Medical University, Wroclaw, 50-556, Poland
David S Kotlyar, Department of Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, United States
Author contributions: All Authors contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Wojciech Blonski, MD, PhD, Research Scholar, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. wojciech.blonski@uphs.upenn.edu
Telephone: +1-215-5733095 Fax: +1-215-6153756
Received: February 3, 2010
Revised: April 30, 2010
Accepted: May 7, 2010
Published online: August 7, 2010
Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and represents an international public health concern as one of the most deadly cancers worldwide. The main etiology of HCC is chronic infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. However, there are other important factors that contribute to the international burden of HCC. Among these are obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and dietary exposures. Emerging evidence suggests that the etiology of many cases of HCC is in fact multifactorial, encompassing infectious etiologies, comorbid conditions and environmental exposures. Clarification of relevant non-viral causes of HCC will aid in preventative efforts to curb the rising incidence of this disease.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Etiology; Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; Obesity; Diabetes; Alcohol; Tobacco; Oral contraceptive