Current status of alcoholic hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan -nation-wide survey in 2014

We carried out a nation-wide survey of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by asking major hospitals in Japan to provide information on the number of patients with HCC diagnosed or treated in 2014 along with information related to etiology including alcohol history. In 7047 HCC cases, etiological agents were as follows: HBV 13.9%, HCV 54.8%, and alcoholic HCC (ALD-HCC) 13.9%. Of HCC cases, 25.8% took ethanol over 60 g/day. Mean age of 333 ALD-HCC patients was 69.8y. Elder patients had lower Child-Pugh score than younger patients. The prevalence of ALD-HCC has been increasing in Japan. Age was identified as risk factors for development of ALD-HCC. Reduction of alcohol intake is the most fundamental measure to prevent ALD-HCC. However, early diagnosis of HCC by image procedures in heavy drinkers is an important measure for a decrease in the cause of death from HCC.