Q&A: 10 cancer-related misconceptions

Q: Do patients carrying hepatitis B virus get liver cancer?

A: For patients infected with hepatitis B virus, their symptoms appear to be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B is typically the result of a first-time infection with the virus, although currently, most cases are due to acute attacks by the hepatitis B virus. The majority of patients with acute hepatitis B can be cured, but a small number may progress to chronic hepatitis B. For patients who are carriers of the hepatitis B virus and have no significant liver changes, the risk of developing liver cancer is relatively low. In cases of chronic hepatitis B that has not progressed to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, the likelihood of developing cancer is also low. However, if it progresses to cirrhosis, there is a significantly increased risk of developing liver cancer. Therefore, while not all carriers of the hepatitis B virus will develop liver cancer, this population still has a higher incidence rate and should pay special attention during physical examinations.