Changing global epidemiology of liver cancer from 2010 to 2019: NASH is the fastest growing cause of liver cancer

Liver cancer epidemiology is changing due to increasing alcohol consumption, rising prevalence of obesity, and advances in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. However, the impact of these changes on global liver cancer burden remains unclear. We estimated global and regional temporal trends in the burden of liver cancer and the contributions of various liver disease etiologies using the methodology framework of the Global Burden of Disease study. Between 2010 and 2019, there was a 25% increase in liver cancer deaths. Age -standardized death rates (ASDRs) increased only in the Americas and remained stable or fell in all other regions. Between 2010 and 2019, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcohol had the fastest growing ASDRs, while HCV and HBV declined. Urgent measures are required at a global level to tackle underlying metabolic risk factors and slow the growing burden of NASH-associated liver cancer, especially in the Americas.

Automated summary

Liver cancer epidemiology is changing due to factors such as increasing alcohol consumption, rising obesity rates, and advancements in hepatitis B and C treatment. The Global Burden of Disease study estimated global and regional trends in liver cancer burden, revealing a 25% increase in liver cancer deaths between 2010 and 2019. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcohol were found to have the fastest growing death rates, while hepatitis B and C showed declines. Urgent measures are needed globally to address metabolic risk factors and slow the growing burden of NASH-associated liver cancer, particularly in the Americas.