It has been well known for years now that the hepatitis B virus is linked to liver cancer. However, it wasn't until recently that doctors had a long-term study with more than 3,600 patients to help further define this link. Researchers in Taiwan started a study in 1991 to look at the link between hepatitis B and liver cancer. The study's goal was to see if there was a relationship between the amount of virus in patients' bloodstream ("viral load") and their risk of liver cancer. They followed a group of chronic hepatitis B patients for a mean of 11 years. During that time, they tracked and recorded each patient's HBV DNA test results, as well as other liver tests. The researchers concluded that a high viral load is "a strong predictor" of the risk for liver cancer.

   

This study is important because it provides doctors with critical information about reducing the risk of liver cancer in some chronic hepatitis B patients. Antiviral medications work by preventing the hepatitis B virus from making copies of itself ("replicating"). Therefore, they may help keep your viral load down. These findings suggest that controlling the virus this way may help reduce the risk of liver cancer in the long run. However, more long-term studies are needed to really confirm this possibility.

It is important to also note that there are other things that may affect your chances of developing liver cancer besides your viral load. This includes your age, sex (male), cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, hormones, exposure to harmful chemicals and family history. Some things you can control (like smoking and drinking), and other things you cannot (like your age, sex and family history). While there is no cure for hepatitis B, people can live a long, healthy life if they take care of themselves and follow their doctor's advice. As time goes on, researchers will learn more about the disease, and doctors will have a better understanding of how to best fight this silent killer.

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Source: Chen CJ, Yang HI, Su J, et al. Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma across a biological gradient of serum hepatitis B virus DNA level. JAMA. 2006;295(1):65-73.