Hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for most patients is a terminal complication of chronic inflammatory and fibrotic liver disease. With regrettably few e xceptions, treatment is largely palliative, and long-term survival Is rare. However, the major causes of HCC worldwide are known and preventable. Hepa titis B and C exist only in man; the viruses have no known non-human reserv oirs. Transmission of the viruses can be interrupted by vaccination against hepatitis B virus infection acid improvements in medical techniques for he patitis C; for which no vaccine has yet been developed.