Korean J Gastroenterol.  2013 Sep;62(3):160-164. 10.4166/kjg.2013.62.3.160.

Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Lee JJ
• Kwon OS

• KMID: 1707198
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2013.62.3.160

Abstract

Many studies have suggested that occult HBV infection has a substantial clinical relevance to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Occult HBV infection is an important risk factor for the development of cirrhosis and HCC in patients without HBsAg. As a matter of fact, occult HBV infection is one of the most common causes of crytogenic HCC in endemic areas of HBV. However, there still are controversial issues about the association between occult HBV infection and HCC according to the underlying liver disease. In alcoholic cirrhosis, occult HBV infection may exert synergistic effect on the development of HCC. However, there is insufficient evidence to relate occult HBV infection to hepatocarcinogenesis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In cryptogenic HCC, occult HBV infection may play a direct role in the development of HCC. In order to elucidate the assocciation between occult HBV infection and HCC, underlying liver disease must be specified and larger number of cases must be included in future studies.

Keyword

Occult Hepatitis B virus infection; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatocelluar carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*complications/*diagnosis/epidemiology
DNA, Viral/analysis
Hepatitis/complications
Hepatitis B/*complications/*diagnosis/epidemiology
Hepatitis B virus/genetics
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/complications
Liver Neoplasms/*complications/*diagnosis/epidemiology
Risk Factors
DNA, Viral

Figure

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  Fig. 1. The role of occult HBV infection in hepatocarcinogenesis. Occult HBV infection (OBI) may be a co-carcinogen rather than a direct carcinogen in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.

Reference

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