World J Gastroenterol 2011 June 28; 17(24): 2976 ISSN 1007-9327 (print) ISSN 2219-2840 (online)
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[email protected] doi:10.3748/wjg.v17.i24.2976
© 2011 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hepatocellular carcinoma and industrial epidemics Alain Braillon, Gérard Dubois epidemics. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17(24): 2976 Available from: URL: http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v17/i24/ 2976.htm DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v17.i24.2976
Alain Braillon, Gres, 27, rue Voiture, 80000 Amiens, France Gérard Dubois, Public Health, Northern hospital, place Victor Pauchet, 80000 Amiens, France Author contributions: Braillon A and Dubois G conceived, analyzed and wrote the letter. Supported by Comité départemental de l’Oise de la Ligue Contre le Cancer Correspondence to: Dr. Alain Braillon, Gres, 27, rue Voiture, 80000 Amiens, France.
[email protected] Telephone: +33-3-22955539 Received: September 1, 2010 Revised: January 17, 2011 Accepted: January 24, 2011 Published online: June 28, 2011
TO THE EDITOR Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death. The Journal must be acknowledged for the publication of Blonski et al[1] review who wisely underlined the burden of non viral causes of HCC which are usually underestimated. Blonski et al[1] rightly stressed the role of smoking, a dose related contributing factor for HCC, and this is important because some are still ignoring it[2]. In France, tobacco, hepatitis B and C virus and alcohol are the main risk factors for HCC mortality (33%, 31% and 26%, respectively)[3,4]. Blonski et al[1] also listed obesity and diabetes as contributing factors for HCC. The role of industrial processed foods in the increase of the prevalence of obesity and diabetes cannot be ignored. Clearly industrial goods, tobacco, alcohol and processed foods are the agents of new epidemics in modern times which far outscore the burden of infectious agents on morbidity and mortality.
Abstract Worldwide, the burden of the non viral causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually underestimated. Clearly industrial goods, tobacco, alcohol and processed foods are the agents of new epidemics in modern times which far outscore the burden of infectious agents on morbidity and mortality. Smoking, a dose-related contributing factor for HCC, receives too little attention in clinical practice. In France, tobacco, hepatitis B and C virus and alcohol are the main risk factors for HCC mortality (33%, 31% and 26%, respectively). In developing countries, where tobacco consumption is dramatically increasing, this epidemic may soon surpass hepatitis B. Obesity and diabetes are the contributing factors too. The role of industrial processed foods in the increase of the prevalence of obesity and diabetes cannot be ignored.
REFERENCES
© 2011 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
1
Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Tobacco; Alcohol; Processed foods; Industrial epidemics
2
Peer reviewer: Dr. Ajith TA, Associate Professor, Department
3
of Biochemistry, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Amala Nagar, Thrisssur, Kerala-680 555, Pakistan
4
Braillon A, Dubois G. Hepatocellular carcinoma and industrial
Blonski W, Kotlyar DS, Forde KA. Non-viral causes of hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2010; 16: 3603-3615 Kumagi T, Hiasa Y, Hirschfield GM. Hepatocellular carcinoma for the non-specialist. BMJ 2009; 339: b5039 Lee YC, Cohet C, Yang YC, Stayner L, Hashibe M, Straif K. Meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies on cigarette smoking and liver cancer. Int J Epidemiol 2009; 38: 1497-1511 Dubois G, Braillon A. Hepatocellular carcinoma: again, tobacco is the first enemy. Int J Epidemiol 2010; 39: 1399 S- Editor Sun H L- Editor Wang XL E- Editor Zheng XM
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June 28, 2011|Volume 17|Issue 24|
