Hepatocellular carcinoma and the risk of occupational exposure.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. The main risk factors for HCC are: alcoholism, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cirrhosis, aflatoxin, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, and hemophilia. Occupational exposure to chemicals is another risk factor for HCC. Often the relationship between occupational risk and HCC is unclear and the reports are often fragmented and inconsistent. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the association of infective and non-infective occupational risk exposure and HCC, in order to encourage further research and draw attention to this global occupational public health problem.