Resumen

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies considerably around the world, with the highest rates in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (where HBV infection is endemic and high)1. Nevertheless and despite its geographic variation, HCC is the most prevalent and lethal malignancy in the world, with more than 1 million deaths per year1. In the U.S., incidence of HCC tripled from 1975 to 2009; rates continue to increase and are estimated to plateau by the year 2017 (www.cancer.gov/statistics). Currently, liver cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men in the U.S., behind lung, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancer, up from 7th just six years ago. In women, it is now 9th, whereas previously it was not among the top 10 2-3. In the V.A system, where there is a predominantly male patient population and a high prevalence of cirrhosis relative to the general population, it is likely that liver cancer has already passed pancreatic cancer (and may soon pass colorectal cancer) as a cause of cancer death in veterans4.

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2016-10-24   |   101 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 29 Núm.2. Julio-Diciembre 2013 Pags. 9-11 Med Hoy 2013; 29(2)