Abstract :
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common
malignant tumors worldwide. The annual incidence
ranges from <10 cases per 100,000 persons in North America
and western Europe to 50–150 cases per 100,000 persons in
parts of Africa and Asia, where HCC is responsible for a large
proportion of cancer-related deaths. However, a rise in the
incidence of and mortality from HCC, most likely reflecting
the increased prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection,
obesity, and diabetes mellitus, has been observed in most industrialized
countries (1-4).
