Possible contribution of prior hepatitis B virus infection to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The prevalence of prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and its role in hepatocarcinogenesis are not clear. The aim of the present study is to clarify the importance of prior HBV infection in development of HCC.

Methods: Of 1288 consecutive HCC patients between January 1999 and October 2002, 1008 patients were enrolled.