What are the causes of Liver Cancer?
There are many causes of liver cancer and some of them are still being studied but factors posing higher risks are:
Around 56% of the world’s liver cancer is caused by infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The chance of chronic hepatitis virus carriers getting liver cancer is 100 times higher than the non-hepatitis B virus carriers.
Hepatitis B is very common in Hong Kong, and it is estimated that one tenth of the Hong Kong population are either hepatitis B virus carriers, or have been infected with the disease HBV. Among these chronic carriers, a quarter of them may develop cirrhosis, which may cause liver cancer.
People infected with hepatitis B virus may develop chronic hepatitis in about 10 years, which may then develop into cirrhosis in another 21 years. It will take 29 years for the cirrhosis to become liver cancer. The actual progress of the disease varies among people and depending on how active the hepatitis viruses are. It is found in the studies that the more active the viruses are, the more quickly the liver cells are damaged, as a result of which, the patient will develop cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis soon. It will take 50 to 60 years to develop liver cancer after a patient infected with hepatitis B virus.
The chance of chronic hepatitis B carriers and hepatitis C carriers to get liver cancer is 150 times higher. HCV-associated liver cancer is more prevalent in western countries.
- Heavy alcohol consumption:
Having excessive alcohol may cause alcohol-related liver hardening, which may then develop into liver cancer. The chance of alcoholic hepatitis B carriers getting liver cell cancer is 2 times higher than the general virus carriers.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH):
Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and other metabolic disorders may induce liver damage leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Aflatoxins found in peanuts, corn, nuts and grains are proven to be a cause of liver cancer in animal experiments.
- Exposure to certain environmental and pollutant hazards for a long time (such as inhaling PVC used in plastics manufacturing factories)
- Cholangitis or congenital choledochal cyst may lead to bile duct cancer