New study sheds light on changing trends in liver cancer development

Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide, and its incidence has clear geographic patterns. In particular, China accounts for a disproportionate share of the global incidence. The disease is closely associated with chronic infections due to hepatitis B and C, alcohol consumption, and increasingly with metabolic disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). As obesity rates rise, the progression of liver cancer becomes an even more pressing issue. Given these trends, research is urgently needed to understand how these risk factors are changing, especially in China, where liver cancer rates remain alarmingly high.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that has histologic features characteristic of alcoholic disease. It is accompanied by progressive liver fibrosis and possible progression to cirrhosis. It is associated with metabolic syndrome and develops in patients who do not consume alcohol in significant doses.

A team of researchers from the National Cancer Center of China has presented a comprehensive analysis of the global and regional impact of liver cancer. The study, published in Cancer Biology & Medicine, is a detailed analysis of liver cancer mortality and disability-adjusted life years, shedding light on changing trends and highlighting striking contrasts between China and the rest of the world. Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, the researchers reveal critical points in the changing risk factors underlying this devastating disease.

The study categorizes risk factors for liver cancer into five distinct groups, and the extensive data set allowed for mapping the evolving burden of the disease. The study emphasizes that the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide is hepatitis B virus (HBV), although its prevalence has been steadily declining in recent years. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol consumption continue to contribute significantly to liver cancer risk, but perhaps the most alarming trend is the rise in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic risk factors, especially obesity. This shift is contributing to a new wave of liver cancer cases, emphasizing the increasing role of metabolic disorders in the global burden of this disease. These data emphasize the need for tailored public health interventions to address both viral hepatitis and the emerging threat of obesity.

Dr. Wanqing Chen, lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of the findings, “Our study shows a critical shift in the pattern of liver cancer, with metabolic factors such as obesity becoming major contributors to the disease. This is an alarming trend that requires immediate public health action. It is critical to implement prevention and control strategies that address these changing risk factors, especially given the regional and gender differences we have identified.”

Dr. Chen calls for a balanced approach to liver cancer prevention, emphasizing the importance of understanding the relationship between viral infections and metabolic risks in developing effective policies.

This study has profound implications for global health strategies and cancer prevention programs. It calls for a reassessment of current surveillance and intervention efforts, particularly in regions highly susceptible to liver cancer. With the growing obesity epidemic, the study emphasizes the need for a dual focus on viral hepatitis control and addressing metabolic risk factors. Strategy planners can use these findings to refine their approach by developing both proactive and reactive interventions that target specific risk factors for liver cancer. This study serves as a compelling reminder that the fight against liver cancer requires a comprehensive, multifaceted campaign that adapts to the changing landscape of global health.

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Published: 15.01.2025

Updated: 15.01.2025

Medical author, Medical editor:

Stepan Yuk

Medical expert:

PhD. Olexandr Voznyak