Primary Liver Cancer in California

Appropriate data from the California Tumor Registry and related sources were examined for primary liver cancer (ICD No. 155.0). The age-justed mortality rates for primary liver cancer in nonwhites have increased in California due to a high immigrant population of Chinese and Japanese, while the white rates have remained relatively constant. Liver cancer occurs in excess in lower socioeconomic group populations, California Chinese and Japanese and at a median age of 61.8 years. A male sex predonderance was discussed in terms of various related etiologies. There has been a slight absolute, but a large percentage increase in the relative one and 5-year survival rates for liver cancer (primary) due to a greater percentage of patients being diagnosed when localized and a greater percentage undergoing palliative or curative surgery. The 5-year relative survival rates for all stages are 3% and for localized cases 10%. A literature review of etiologic factors was presented in discussing geographical variations for liver cancer.