THE INCIDENCE, MORTALITY, AND SURVIVAL OF MALIGNANT HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN THE UNITED STATES: A SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND END RESULTS (SEER) 2000-2023 DATABASE ANALYSIS
Author(s)
Dimitrije Grbic, PhD (c), Filip Stanicic, PhD (c), Vlad Zah, PhD.
Health Economist, ZRx Outcomes Research, Inc., Mississauga, ON, Canada.
Health Economist, ZRx Outcomes Research, Inc., Mississauga, ON, Canada.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the population-level burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across the US by leveraging the most recent Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data release (April 2026).
METHODS: Data were analyzed using SEER*Stat, encompassing 21 cancer registries for malignant HCC cases (ICD-O-3 codes) diagnosed between 2000-2023. Outcome measures inclded crude incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000 population) alongside 1- and 5-year observed survival. Annual trends in incidence and mortality were presented as annual percent changes (APC), which were derived via the weighted least-squares method.
RESULTS: The cohort comprised 240,253 patients, of whom non-specified histology represented 97.8%. The population was largely male (75.9%), elderly (50.4%), Non-Hispanic White (48.8%), metropolitan residing (89.7%), and had an annual household income (AHI) within the $65,000-90,000 range (50.4%). Overall US HCC incidence was 7.027 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence rates were observed for non-specified HCC (6.873), males (10.794), the elderly (27.219), Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders (10.238), those residing in metropolitan area (7.050), and the $40,000-65,000 AHI (7.654). Significantly increasing incidence trends were captured for non-specified (APC 3.238, p<0.050), clear cell (APC 2.404, p<0.050), and combined HCC-cholangiocarcinoma (APC 3.188, p<0.050). The national mortality rate was 5.809, with the highest rates documented for non-specified (5.689), males (9.022), Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (8.088), non-metropolitan residence (5.864), and $40,000-65,000 AHI groups (6.452). Mortality rose notably over the years for non-specified (APC 4.082, p<0.050), fibrolamellar (APC 2.143, p<0.050), and combined HCC-cholangiocarcinoma subtypes (APC 3.735, p<0.050). Survival was most favorable for fibrolamellar HCC (73.6% at 1-year, and 39.1% at 5-year) and lowest for spindle cell HCC (19.9% at 1-year, and 5.3% at 5-year).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a substantial real-world HCC burden within the US, with non-specified HCC prevailing as the dominant subtype and demonstrating significant increases in both incidence and mortality.
METHODS: Data were analyzed using SEER*Stat, encompassing 21 cancer registries for malignant HCC cases (ICD-O-3 codes) diagnosed between 2000-2023. Outcome measures inclded crude incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000 population) alongside 1- and 5-year observed survival. Annual trends in incidence and mortality were presented as annual percent changes (APC), which were derived via the weighted least-squares method.
RESULTS: The cohort comprised 240,253 patients, of whom non-specified histology represented 97.8%. The population was largely male (75.9%), elderly (50.4%), Non-Hispanic White (48.8%), metropolitan residing (89.7%), and had an annual household income (AHI) within the $65,000-90,000 range (50.4%). Overall US HCC incidence was 7.027 per 100,000 population. The highest incidence rates were observed for non-specified HCC (6.873), males (10.794), the elderly (27.219), Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders (10.238), those residing in metropolitan area (7.050), and the $40,000-65,000 AHI (7.654). Significantly increasing incidence trends were captured for non-specified (APC 3.238, p<0.050), clear cell (APC 2.404, p<0.050), and combined HCC-cholangiocarcinoma (APC 3.188, p<0.050). The national mortality rate was 5.809, with the highest rates documented for non-specified (5.689), males (9.022), Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (8.088), non-metropolitan residence (5.864), and $40,000-65,000 AHI groups (6.452). Mortality rose notably over the years for non-specified (APC 4.082, p<0.050), fibrolamellar (APC 2.143, p<0.050), and combined HCC-cholangiocarcinoma subtypes (APC 3.735, p<0.050). Survival was most favorable for fibrolamellar HCC (73.6% at 1-year, and 39.1% at 5-year) and lowest for spindle cell HCC (19.9% at 1-year, and 5.3% at 5-year).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a substantial real-world HCC burden within the US, with non-specified HCC prevailing as the dominant subtype and demonstrating significant increases in both incidence and mortality.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH81
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health, Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
Gastrointestinal Disorders, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Oncology