Hepatocellular carcinoma disparities in latinos: Implications for research

Introduction. From 2007-2009, new cancer diagnoses declined for men, but remained stable for women and increased slightly for children. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an exception: incidence has increased in all groups. Moreover, HCC among South Texas Latinos has traditionally been higher than all other U.S. Latinos. This study compares incidence rates of HCC during 1995-1997, 2004-2006, and 2007-2009 between South Texas and all other U.S. Latinos.

Methods. Data from the U.S. SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) Program and the Texas Cancer Registry were obtained. Annual age-adjusted HCC incidence rates were calculated using SEER*Stat and SPSS software, displayed graphically and the average incidence for periods of interest were calculated. Average incidence rates were compared between US Hispanics and South Texas Hispanics. Group differences were assessed at p<0.05 if confidence intervals did not overlap.

Results. U.S. (SEER) Latino HCC incidence averaged 6.1/100,000 during 1995-1997, increased to 8.0 during 2004-2006, and increased again to 8.3 during 2007-2009. South Texas Latino rates averaged 9.2, 11.7 and 12.2 during the same periods. The incidence rate difference during all three periods was higher in South Texas Latinos than U.S. Latinos (incidence rate difference, p < .05).

Conclusion. Our findings support observations that HCC has increased in the U.S. among Latinos from 1995 through 2009. We have described a significantly higher rate of HCC in South Texas Latinos than U.S. (SEER) Latinos. This has important implications for HCC research, with emphasis on understanding the higher risk of HCC in South Texas Latinos than elsewhere in the U.S.