Primary liver cancer is the third most deadly and fifth most common cancer worldwide (~500,000 deaths annually), with a sharp increase of incidence in the United States in recent years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) are the major types of primary liver cancer. Risk factors include gender, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cirrhosis, metabolism diseases, diabetes, obesity, toxins, excess alcohol consumption and smoking. Liver cancer arises most frequently in inflammatory livers with extensive oxidative stress due to viral hepatitis which causes over 80% of HCC cases worldwide. Currently, survival remains dismal for most HCC and CC patients, largely due to the tumor's aggressiveness at the time of diagnosis and the lack of effective therapy.
Cancer is a genetic disease and cancer research is a broad discipline embracing
investigators and clinicians with diverse backgrounds. This new edition of
Molecular Genetics of Liver Neoplasia intends to provide a comprehensive view
on genetics and a mechanistic understanding of liver cancer. The book covers
from molecular pathogenesis and cellular origin to translational genomics of liver
cancer. The leading experts in the field of liver cancer have thoroughly
summarized the latest developments and have provided current viewpoints and
novel concepts. This cutting-edge volume is a vital resource for today's
basic cancer researchers, graduate students, medical students and clinicians
interested in hepatocarcinogenesis.
