Primary liver cancer is the third most deadly and fifth most common cancer worldwide (~500,000 deaths annually), with a sharp increase of incidence in the United States in recent years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) are the major types of primary liver cancer. Risk factors include gender, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cirrhosis, metabolism diseases, diabetes, obesity, toxins, excess alcohol consumption and smoking. Liver cancer arises most frequently in inflammatory livers with extensive oxidative stress due to viral hepatitis which causes over 80% of HCC cases worldwide. Currently, survival remains dismal for most HCC and CC patients, largely due to the tumor's aggressiveness at the time of diagnosis and the lack of effective therapy.

This book contains the proceedings of Falk Symposium 167 entitled 'Liver under Constant Attack - From Fat to Viruses', which was held in Mainz, Germany, on 20-21 September 2008. It merges up-to-date viral liver immunology with relevant topics in clinical practice. Sections cover viral hepatitis, immunosuppressive approaches in liver patients, malignant liver diseases, inflammatory liver diseases and complications of liver cirrhosis. Interdisciplinary discussion of new concepts in the treatment of liver diseases makes this book valuable for scientists and clinicians alike.

Primary liver cancer is the third most deadly and fifth most common cancer worldwide (approximately 500,000 deaths annually), with a sharp increase of incidence in the United States in recent years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) are the major types of primary liver cancer. Risk factors include gender, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cirrhosis, metabolism diseases, diabetes, obesity, toxins, excess alcohol consumption and smoking. Liver cancer arises most frequently in inflammatory livers with extensive oxidative stress due to viral hepatitis which causes over 80 per cent of HCC cases worldwide. Currently, survival remains dismal for most HCC and CC patients, largely due to the tumor's aggressiveness at the time of diagnosis and the lack of effective therapy.