Ethnic and Racial Disparities in HCC: “Real-World” Data from a Southern California Clinic Shows Worse Outcomes in Hispanics/Latinos

 Summary for Medical Professionals

Title: Ethnic and Racial Disparities in HCC: “Real-World” Data from a Southern California Clinic Shows Worse Outcomes in Hispanics/Latinos
 Authors: Isabella Martinez BS, Michel Mendler MD, MS, and Edward Mena MD, MBA, FAASLD
Institution: California Liver Research Institute (Associated with Pasadena Liver Center)

LCS 2025 Poster (Final with deg…

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rates continue to rise in the U.S., driven largely by the increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), obesity, and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Among ethnic groups, Hispanic/Latino populations have experienced the sharpest rise in HCC incidence—about 4.7% since 2000—and continue to demonstrate poorer survival than other groups

LCS 2025 Poster (Final with deg…

Objective

To identify social, metabolic, and clinical determinants of HCC presentation and outcomes within a racially diverse, real-world population managed at a private hepatology clinic in Los Angeles County, California.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 245 HCC patients was performed at first evaluation between July 2018 and July 2023.
Data collected included:

  • Underlying liver-disease etiology, cirrhosis, and tumor characteristics.

  • Treatment approach: curative local regional therapy (CLRT), non-curative (NCLRT), or systemic therapy.

  • Socioeconomic status: measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI).
    Statistical methods: chi-square for categorical variables and non-parametric tests for continuous data
    LCS 2025 Poster (Final with deg…

Results

Demographics & Socioeconomics

  • Ethnicity: 45.9% Hispanic/Latino (HL); 54.1% non-Hispanic/Latino (NHL).

  • Median age 71 (27-88); 73.5% male.

  • HL patients were more socioeconomically disadvantaged (ADI 15 vs 12; p = 0.0014), with the greatest gap between Other-HL and Asian groups (p = 0.013).

Metabolic Risk and Etiology

  • T2DM: 54.2% in HL vs 29.4% in NHL (p = 0.0001).

  • BMI: higher in HL (28.0 vs 25.9 kg/m²; p = 0.0055).

  • Cirrhosis: present in 89% overall.

  • HL patients more often had cirrhosis due to MASLD (53.3%) and alcohol use (17.8%) than NHL (p < 0.0001).

  • HBV-related HCC was predominantly Asian (93%, p < 0.001).

  • Non-cirrhotic HCC most commonly stemmed from HBV and MASLD
    LCS 2025 Poster (Final with deg…

Staging & Treatment Outcomes

  • Within Milan criteria: 55.9%; within UCSF criteria: 72.2%.

  • AFP ≥ 500 ng/mL: 19.8% overall.

  • Surveillance diagnosis: 41%; those detected by surveillance were more likely to receive CLRT (58%; p = 0.022).

  • Systemic therapy: required more often in HL (67.7%; p = 0.0030), associated with MASLD, AFP ≥ 500, and higher mortality (58.3%; p < 0.0001).

  • Asian patients had the highest rates of surgical resection (25.4%; p < 0.0001) and CLRT (42.2%; p = 0.055)
    LCS 2025 Poster (Final with deg… ????

Conclusions

  • Hispanic/Latino patients experience higher metabolic burden and social disadvantage, resulting in more advanced HCC at diagnosis and a greater need for systemic therapy.

  • Asian patients more often present with HBV-related HCC and receive more curative interventions.

  • Surveillance programs significantly improve curative treatment rates and outcomes.

  • Findings highlight the importance of equitable screening, culturally tailored education, and diversified representation in clinical research.

Presented at: European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) — The International Liver Congress™, Paris 2025.   HCC summit  (perhaps put exact dates oif all the meetings for each abstract?)

Summary for General Visitors

Understanding Liver Cancer in Our Communities

Doctors at the California Liver Research Institute studied 245 patients with liver cancer (HCC) to explore how health and social factors affect outcomes in diverse Los Angeles populations.

Key Findings

  • Nearly half were Hispanic/Latino, and these patients had higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease (MASLD), often living in more economically challenged areas.

  • Asian patients were more likely to have hepatitis B-related cancer and received more curative treatments.

  • Patients diagnosed through regular liver screenings had significantly better outcomes.

  • Those diagnosed later often required systemic therapy and had worse prognoses.

Why It Matters

This study demonstrates that social and economic factors can influence how liver cancer develops and is treated.
It emphasizes the importance of:

  • Early screening for individuals with fatty liver disease or hepatitis B.

  • Community outreach and education to improve awareness in high-risk groups.

  • Ensuring equitable access to specialized care and inclusion in research that reflects the true diversity of patients.

Presented at:European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) — The International Liver Congress™, Paris 2025.