Geographic and socioeconomic mapping of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Geographic and socioeconomic mapping of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
IRAS ID
178041
Contact name
L Corless
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
HCC is an increasingly common malignancy with very poor survival. Our
recent analysis of the population served by Hull and East Yorkshire hospitals
(HEY) showed that approximately 2/3 of patients diagnosed with HCC did so
on a background of chronic liver disease.
The development of chronic liver disease is usually associated with one or
more of obesity, alcohol excess and viral hepatitis, all of which are thought to
be more common in areas of deprivation. It follows that the development of
HCC may also show variation according to social and environmental factors.
Work by others has previously identified geographical variation in overall
cancer incidence in East Yorkshire, but we have no data on liver cancer
specifically, or the potential factors driving the variation (e.g. socioeconomic
deprivation, access to healthcare, environmental factors etc.). Furthermore,
although there is existing North American literature on geographical variation
in liver cancer, nobody has examined this in the United Kingdom, where
differences in healthcare and welfare provision may impact outcomes.
The project has the following aims:
To use and build on our existing database of HCC in the HEY population to map
geographical/postcode incidence of HCC in Hull and East Yorkshire
To examine and analyse the possible factors associated with variation
(industry, pollution, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare etc.)
To determine whether HCC incidence is linked or correlates with other cancer
diagnoses within a postcode
Whether HCC has a different mode of presentation according to postcode
(e.g. more or less advanced, potentially curable etc.)
Ultimately, the results of this work should highlight areas of increased cancer
prevalence and describe the possible mechanisms. This offers the opportunity
to focus early intervention/prevention or surveillance strategies on areas with
the greatest need, thereby improving survival in this under-represented
patient group.REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
15/WS/0097
Date of REC Opinion
27 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion