Laboratory Predictors of Risk for Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy worldwide accounting for around 600,000 deaths every year and its incidence has been rising in many countries [1]. In men, it is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, and the second leading cause of cancerrelated death. In women, it is the seventh most common cancer and the sixth cause of cancer-related death. Despite of significant advances in diagnosis and management, HCC continues to carry a very high case fatality rate [2, 3].