Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2014; 20(34): 12039-12044
Published online Sep 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12039
Hepatitis B viral load affects prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Su Jong Yu, Yoon Jun Kim
Su Jong Yu, Yoon Jun Kim, Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea
Author contributions: Kim YJ designed research; and Yu SJ performed literature search and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Yoon Jun Kim, MD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, South Korea. yoonjun@snu.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-2-20723081 Fax: +82-2-7436701
Received: October 27, 2013
Revised: January 20, 2014
Accepted: April 8, 2014
Published online: September 14, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: High hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral load reduces overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the rapid progression of HCC after treatment and deterioration of hepatic function associated with HCC progression. The use of long-term antiviral therapy is recommended to result in the long-lasting suppression of HBV replication, reduction in HCC progression, and eventually in improved overall survival.