Viral and Host Factors Associated With Development of Hepatitis B Virus-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Viral and Host Factors Associated With Development of Hepatitis B Virus-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Adult liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The major risk factor for liver cancer is hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The purpose of the study is to sequence the HBV genome in patients with chronic HBV infection, and in patients with liver cancer resulting from chronic HBV infection. The goal is to identify mutations in the HBV genome that predisposes these high risk individuals to the development of liver cancer.
Inclusion Criteria:1. Patients diagnosed with liver cancer based on biopsy or serum AFP level, associated with characteristic hypervascular liver tumors on triphasic spiral CT scan or MRI.
2. Patients with non-cancer liver conditions such as cirrhosis, adenoma, cholangioma, or nodular hyperplasia.
3. Patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viral infections not associated with liver cancer. Exclusion Criteria:No other patients except those listed above will be recruited. Additionally, patients will be excluded if, upon looking through their medical records, information required for data analysis are missing.