The influence of alcohol consumption and hepatitis B and C infections on the risk of liver cancer in Europe

Background/Aims To assess the variability of liver cancer (LC) risk associated with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses and alcohol intake in 2002 throughout Europe. Methods Incidence data were obtained from population-based cancer registries whereas mortality, HBV, HCV and alcohol exposures were obtained from the WHO databases. Relative risk of LC and their posterior probabilities to be >1 were obtained and plotted in maps through a Bayesian random effects model. Results HBV prevalence >2% increased the risk of developing LC a 15% in men and 21% in women; HCV prevalence >2%, 54% in men and 33% in women and, pure alcohol intake >11 l, 26% and 14%, respectively (all of them statistically significant). These risk factors played a similar role in the risk of dying from LC among men, whereas HBV and alcohol were not statistically significant among women. Significant high LC risk, after HBV/HCV and alcohol adjustment were observed for both sexes in: Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain, France and Austria. Conclusions South–North and East–West decreasing gradients for LC risk were observed in Europe. HBV, alcohol and, mainly, HCV are independent risk factors that could explain this geographical pattern.