Liver Cancer: Key Statistics

Key Statistics of Liver CancerLiver cancer is much more prevalent in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia than in the United States. It was estimated by American Cancer Society that around 700,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer each year throughout the world. It was also accounted that about 600,000 deaths occur every year due to liver cancer. Although, these data elements may change regularly, an estimate can help us know about the spread of liver cancer. It is more prominent in men and is supposed to be the 5th most common cause leading to death. It is 8th most common cause of death in women according to some estimates.

In the United States, the statistical data for 2018 estimates that about 40,710 adults (which include 29,200 men and 11,510 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with primary liver cancer. The ratio has increased up to three times since 1980. It is often observed that men are at about 3 times of higher risk to be diagnosed with liver cancer than women. It is also estimated that the spread rate of liver cancer has increased up to 3% since the year 2000.The numbers of deaths are also estimated to increase to 28,920 more (19,610 men and 9,310 women) due to liver cancer.

In the UK, liver cancer is the 15th most common cancer in men, with around 3,700 new cases (in 2015) and 20th most common type of cancer in women with approximately 2100 cases (in 2015).

According to a study, in general, survival depends on the stage of liver cancer. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 18%. Liver cancer life expectancy reduces as the stage advanced. In latter stages, a person has lower chances of survival, especially in stage 4. The life expectancy in very advanced stages is reduced to nil as the body is not very responsive to the treatments provided to the patients.

In early stages, only about 40% of people are diagnosed and the survival rate is approximately 30%. If the stages advance and the liver cancer has spread to the nearby tissues or organs and/or to the lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate lowers down to 11%. In the next critical stages, the cancer cells have grown to different parts of the body leaving with a 3% five-year survival rate only. The last stage of any cancer is a "lost of hope" for many as the survival rates are negligible.

Liver cirrhosis is one of the many reasons why someone can develop liver cancer. More than half of all people diagnosed with primary liver cancer in fact have cirrhosis – a scarring condition of the liver commonly caused by alcohol abuse. Read about causes of liver cirrhosis.

Worldwide scenarioWorldwide, liver cancer is the second most common cause of death. It is calculated that one in 105 men and one in 195 women are expected to be diagnosed with liver cancer during their lifetime. Earlier, it was estimated by Cancer Research UK that one in 180 for men and one in 292 for women were subjected to have chances of liver cancer.

The chances of developing liver cancer in an individual are increasing every year. It was calculated that about 746,000 deaths occurred in 2012 (9.1% of the total) due to liver cancer. It is more common in underdeveloped nation. Age, genetics, exposure to risk factors (including some potentially avoidable lifestyle factors), geographical patterns and ethnicity play a vital role in the spread of liver cancer globally.

Mohd Salman, Mbbs, is a medical science professional and is associated with DiseaseFix as a researcher. Find the most relevant and updated information about the disease in DiseaseFix.