Medical Hypotheses
Volume 62, Issue 1 , Pages 86-94, January 2004

The role of psychosocial factors in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

  • J Steel

      Affiliations

    • Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Behavioral Medicine and Oncology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Present address: School of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Suite 405, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Tel. +1-412-624-3959; fax: +1-412-647-1936
    • ,
  • M Carney

      Affiliations

    • Oregon Health Sciences University, OR, USA
    • ,
  • B.I Carr

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
    • ,
  • A Baum

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Behavioral Medicine and Oncology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, USA

Received 20 February 2002; accepted 8 May 2002.

Abstract 

The number of deaths per year from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exceeds 250,000, placing it sixth as the cause of death from cancer worldwide. The primary etiology of most cases of HCC in the US is hepatitis B and/or C. Extensive research has demonstrated that the relationship between hepatitis B infection and the progression to HCC is mediated by the immune system. A substantial, but unrelated literature, describes the relationship between psychosocial factors (e.g., stress, psychiatric morbidity), immune system reactivity, and disease progression in patients with cancer. However, the role of these factors in the progression of HBV–HCC has not been explored. An understanding of the relationship among virology, immunology, and behavior in the development and recurrence of HCC may provide alternative methods for secondary prevention of HCC (e.g., behavioral) until a vaccine and/or pharmacological treatments are developed, feasible, and affordable.

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PII: S0306-9877(03)00263-9

doi:10.1016/S0306-9877(03)00263-9

Medical Hypotheses
Volume 62, Issue 1 , Pages 86-94, January 2004

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