Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is feasible since the tumour occurs in the context of well-recognized, potentially preventable risk factors1. Strategies of prevention differ in the various geographical areas, in accordance with the geographical variability of risk factors. In this chapter primary prevention means preventing the onset of cancer, by lowering an individual's exposure to known risk factors such as hepatitis viruses, alcohol or progressive liver disease. Secondary prevention aims at counteracting HCC severity, i.e. reducing tumour recurrence after eradication. In patients chronically exposed to risk factors for HCC, surveillance is the only practical approach to improve treatment outcome. Surveillance is the process by which diagnostic tests and recall procedures have been standardized to provide a clinically meaningful definition of early cancer. Both prevention and surveillance are expected to reduce HCC-related mortality.
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