Hepatitis b (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver cancer around the world. It can cause severe, long-term damage to the liver and puts patients at risk of primary liver cancer (HCC).
If patients have previously been diagnosed with HBV, treatment for HCC can reactivate the infection, which could complicate treatment. Patients undergoing treatment for HCC who previously had an HBV infection may need anti-viral medication or treatment for HBV–even if they’re not showing any signs of a relapsed infection.
There is a vaccination for HBV that can reduce the risk of infection.
Hepatitis c (HCV) is also a leading cause of liver cancer although it’s often curable through anti-viral medications. These patients often need ongoing monitoring for liver cancer.
Identifying HBV/HCV is important in reducing the risk of liver cancer and identifying HCC patients who may be at risk due to a past infection. HBV and HCV status is also being used in clinical trials for HCC patients.
