Worse Outcomes among African Americans with Liver Cancer: What Might Cause the Disparity?

Liver cancer remains an important cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common histological cell type of liver cancer, has increased over the past 30 years. The statistics are particularly worrisome for African Americans. Their incidence of HCC far surpasses that of other races, particularly whites. Additionally, mortality for African Americans with HCC is also far worse. In a review of the literature, we found a stepwise progression of variables that may contribute to this observation. African Americans have the highest observed rates of infection with chronic hepatitis and are offered treatment less often for hepatitis C virus. The progression to cirrhosis is slower, which may complicate HCC surveillance. Regardless, they receive surveillance either biochemical or radiographic at a lower rate than patients of other races. Further, African Americans present at a more advanced stage and are referred for curative therapy less often. When African Americans do receive therapy, their outcomes are worse. Additional investigation is warranted as to whether differences in tumor biology may also play a role.