You Can Get It Even If You Don't Drink... The Real Cause of Liver Cancer Is "This" [Kok! Health]

More than Half of Cases Caused by Hepatitis B... Beware of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as Well
"Progresses Without Symptoms, Often Too Late When Detected"

Liver cancer is commonly thought to be caused by heavy drinking. In reality, however, the most common cause of liver cancer is hepatitis viruses. Recently, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease related to obesity and diabetes has also emerged as a major risk factor, so simply avoiding alcohol does not guarantee safety.

Image generated by Google Gemini.

According to the 2023 National Cancer Registry Statistics, liver cancer ranked seventh in overall cancer incidence. However, the actual risk is higher than that. Cancer mortality statistics show that in 2024 there were 10,432 deaths from liver cancer, making it the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. The 5?year survival rate for liver cancer is only about 40%, which is significantly lower than the average 5?year survival rate for all cancers, at around 73%.

In 50% to 70% of liver cancer patients, hepatitis B virus is the cause. Hepatitis C accounts for about 8%, followed by excessive alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. Recently, as hepatitis B vaccination and antiviral treatment for hepatitis C have become widespread, infectious causes have been decreasing, while nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been drawing attention as a new risk factor.

Progresses without symptoms... "In many cases, it is already too late when it is found"

The problem is that early detection is difficult. The liver has poorly developed pain-sensing nerves, so there are usually no noticeable symptoms in the early stages of disease. By the time people visit a hospital because of jaundice, ascites, or upper abdominal pain and other subjective symptoms, the cancer is often already quite advanced. This is why it is called the "silent cancer."

The success of liver cancer treatment depends on early detection. People who regularly drink alcohol or are obese should undergo periodic liver ultrasound examinations even if their liver function test results are normal on routine health checkups. In particular, high?risk groups such as patients aged 40 or older with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis should have regular examinations every six months.

Fortunately, treatment technologies are advancing rapidly. Kim Sangjin, a professor in the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Korea University Ansan Hospital, said, "Recently, except in cases where open surgery is unavoidable, minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopy or robotic surgery has become commonplace," adding, "Robotic surgery has made precise liver resection possible while reducing pain, scarring, and complications." If there are no postoperative complications, many patients are discharged within a week and are able to return to daily life within two weeks.

Post?treatment management is also important. Professor Kim said, "Regular follow?up examinations to check for recurrence are more important than anything else, and management within the first five years is particularly critical," and advised, "Abstaining from alcohol is fundamental, and thorough control of obesity and diabetes through exercise and blood sugar management can reduce the risk of recurrence."