Cross-sectional study of trends in hepatocellular carcinoma mortality rates, 2006-2022, with projections through 2040

A cross-sectional study in the USA investigated trends in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality rates from 2006 to 2022, with projections through 2040. In this study of 188,280 HCC-related deaths, ASMRs increased from 2006 to 2022, and were projected to continue rising until 2040, primarily due to increased deaths from alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Deaths from viral hepatitis (HBV/HCV) were under control and were projected to decrease. Large disparities were observed in HCC-related ASMRs by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The authors conclude that ALD and MASLD were projected to be the leading causes of HCC-related mortality by 2040.