Risk factors related to the sexual dimorphism in the incidence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. About 50% of the total number of HCC cases and deaths worldwide occurred in China. Male has high incidence rates of HCC. Epidemiological data showed that ratio between the male incidence of HCC and the female incidence was from 2:1 to 5:1 in China. Up to now, risk factors found to be able to give rise to the sexual dimorphism in HCC incidences include infection and mutation of hepatitis B virus, immune genetic susceptibility and functions of hormone receptors. Relevant studies can not only help clarify the specific biological processes of hepatocarcinogenesis, but also uncover the biological indications that associate the incidences and prognoses of HCC with the sexual dimorphism, thus playing an important role in improving the strategies of control and prevention.