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How can hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections lead to liver cancer?
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View through an endoscope of a polyp, a benign precancerous growth projecting from the inner lining of the colon.
Chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major risk factors for developing liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma.123
The progression to cancer often involves the following mechanisms:
- Chronic Inflammation and Cirrhosis: Both HBV and HCV can cause chronic hepatitis, characterized by persistent liver cell death and inflammation. Over time, this chronic injury leads to cirrhosis, a condition involving extensive scarring of liver tissue. Cirrhosis is a primary precursor to the development of malignant tumors.4352
- Cellular Disruption: In the case of HBV, evidence suggests that viral proteins may disrupt signal transduction pathways, which deregulates normal cell growth and contributes to oncogenesis.1
- Increased Risk: Individuals who carry the hepatitis B virus are significantly more likely—up to 100 times more—to develop liver cancer compared to those who do not. Similarly, a large percentage of chronic HCV infections progress to serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and cancer.43
Preventive measures, such as vaccination against HBV and avoiding exposure to infected blood, are essential for reducing the incidence of these cancers.423