Hepatitis B patients and hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers were documented to have a high risk of eventually developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The underlying mechanisms are not clear.

The work of Yang et al. at the National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan published in the New England Journal of Medicine (347:168-174, Jul. 18, 2002) provided evidence that progresses were made in our understanding of carcinogenesis. They have followed 11,893 men aged from 30 to 65 years, who enrolled between 1991 and 1992, for nearly ten years. At enrollment, 19.3% were tested positive for hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg). Among those who were positive for ... Read more