The study investigates the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japan. The researchers examined serum samples from 253 HCC patients, classifying them into three groups based on their status for HBV infection. They found that a significantly higher prevalence of HCV antibodies was present in groups I and II (68.6% and 58.7%, respectively) compared to group III (3.9%). This association was also observed in 148 additional patients with other cancers, where 10.1% had HCV antibodies. The study suggests that HCV is a strong candidate for the development of HCC, particularly in patients without HBV infection. Additionally, the high prevalence of HCV antibodies among HCC patients who did not have a history of blood transfusion indicates an additional mode of HCV transmission beyond blood transfusion. The findings also highlight the need for reassessment of hepatic cirrhosis and HCC patients, as symptoms previously attributed to alcohol consumption may actually be due to cryptic HCV infection.The study investigates the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japan. The researchers examined serum samples from 253 HCC patients, classifying them into three groups based on their status for HBV infection. They found that a significantly higher prevalence of HCV antibodies was present in groups I and II (68.6% and 58.7%, respectively) compared to group III (3.9%). This association was also observed in 148 additional patients with other cancers, where 10.1% had HCV antibodies. The study suggests that HCV is a strong candidate for the development of HCC, particularly in patients without HBV infection. Additionally, the high prevalence of HCV antibodies among HCC patients who did not have a history of blood transfusion indicates an additional mode of HCV transmission beyond blood transfusion. The findings also highlight the need for reassessment of hepatic cirrhosis and HCC patients, as symptoms previously attributed to alcohol consumption may actually be due to cryptic HCV infection.