Disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma incidence among Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults in Arizona: Trends between 2009-2017

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal cancer with few treatment options available to patients. Most HCC cases in Arizona, a state with a high proportion of Hispanic adults, have not been included in recent reports of HCC incidence. This study describes trends in HCC incidence and stage at diagnosis among Arizona residents between 2009–2017 and reports on racial and ethnic disparities for these outcomes. Methods: The Arizona Cancer Registry was used to identify Arizonans aged 19 or older diagnosed with liver cell carcinoma diagnosed between 2009–2017. A total of 5043 cases were examined. Adjusted annual and 3-year HCC incidence rates (per 100,000) were examined for non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Hispanic adults. Results: The total age-adjusted HCC incidence rate increased significantly between 2009–2012 and then declined significantly between 2012–2017. Across nearly all years, age-adjusted HCC incidence in Hispanic adults was twice that of NHW adults. Hispanic adults were more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage across all time periods. The disparity in 3-year age-adjusted HCC incidence rate between NHW and Hispanic adults decreased between 2009–2017. Conclusion: Whe total age-adjusted HCC incidence rate increased significantly between 2009–2012 and then declined significantly between 2012–2017. Across nearly all years, age-adjusted HCC incidence in Hispanic adults was twice that of NHW adults. Hispanic adults were more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage across all time periods. The disparity in 3-year age-adjusted HCC incidence rate between NHW and Hispanic adults decreased between 2009–2017.