Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Also written as HCC.
Infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma
What our notes say
- Infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (Internal Medicine CAT 1 (MBChB 4), 2022: liver, pancreas and bone marrow, 30 MCQ)
- a) It is one of the known causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (Junior Clerkship in Internal Medicine (MBIM4100) main exam, Paper One: 31 Januar)
- Hepatitis A is not chronic and does not cause hepatocellular carcinoma. (Junior Clerkship in Internal Medicine (MBIM4100) main exam, Paper One: 31 Januar)
- Persons with chronic carrier states are predisposed to chronic liver disease and have a more than 200-fold increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (Paediatrics end of second semester exam (MBPE 4300): 4 October 2022, cardiology,)
- It is not associated with progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (Paediatrics end of second semester exam (MBPE 4300): 4 October 2022, cardiology,)
- The best way to screen a patient with cirrhosis for hepatocellular carcinoma is: (Hepatitis B and the approach to hepatitis)
Study material on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Liver Histology & Physiology
- Liver Histology & Physiology
- EXAM: Hepatitis Viruses, Oncogenic Viruses, Paramyxoviruses & Arboviruses
- Liver Tumors: Benign and Malignant Overview
- Gastrointestinal and liver
- Master Rhinoviruses & RVFV: Common Cold & Zoonotic Fever
- Molecular Basis of Cancer: Cell Cycle, Apoptosis & Angiogenesis
- Oncopathology MCQs: Test Your Knowledge on Cancer Pathology
- VIROLOGY SEM 3 CRASHED
- Medical Virology: Hepatitis, Viral Carcinogenesis & Oncogenic Viruses
- Weekly Pathology Exam - March 7, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
- MCQ: Ompath Study Home Blog Flashcards MCQs Dashboard Toggle the
- Liver Tumors: Benign, Primary, and Secondary Malignancies Summary — Practice Questions
- Weekly Pathology Exam - May 15, 2026 (Sections B & C)
- Weekly Pathology Exam - September 11, 2026 (Sections B & C)
- Liver Histology, Physiology and Pathology — Practice Questions
Practice questions on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
A 62-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular studies reveal inactivation of p53. Which of the following best describes the normal role of p53 in preventing tumor development?
- It promotes cell cycle progression.
- It induces apoptosis in cells with DNA damage.
- It activates oncogenes.
- It inhibits DNA repair mechanisms.
Answer: B. p53 is a tumor suppressor protein that acts as a 'guardian of the genome.' In response to cellular stress, such as DNA damage, p53 can induce cell cycle arrest for repair or trigger apoptosis to eliminate damaged cells, thereby preventing the accumulation of mutations that could lead to cancer.
A 62-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular studies reveal inactivation of p53. Which of the following best describes the normal role of p53 in preventing tumor development?
- Inducing cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage
- Promoting DNA repair
- Activating cellular differentiation
- Stimulating immune surveillance against tumor cells
Answer: A. p53 is a crucial tumor suppressor gene that acts as a 'guardian of the genome.' In response to cellular stress, such as DNA damage, p53 can halt the cell cycle to allow for repair or induce apoptosis if the damage is irreparable, thereby preventing the accumulation of mutations that can lead to cancer.
A 62-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular studies reveal inactivation of p53. Which of the following best describes the normal role of p53 in preventing tumor development?
- Induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA damage
- Promotes DNA repair
- Stimulates cell proliferation
- Mediates immune surveillance
Answer: A. p53 is a critical tumor suppressor gene. Its normal function is to sense DNA damage and trigger appropriate cellular responses, such as cell cycle arrest to allow for repair or induction of apoptosis if the damage is irreparable. Inactivation of p53 removes this crucial protective mechanism, allowing damaged cells to proliferate and accumulate further mutations.
A 62-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular studies reveal inactivation of p53. Which of the following best describes the normal role of p53 in preventing tumor development?
- Promotes cell growth and division
- Initiates DNA repair or induces apoptosis
- Stimulates angiogenesis
- Facilitates metastasis
Answer: B. The p53 protein is a crucial tumor suppressor. It acts as a 'guardian of the genome' by sensing DNA damage and cellular stress. In response, p53 can either initiate DNA repair mechanisms or, if the damage is too severe, trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) to eliminate potentially cancerous cells. Inactivation of p53 allows cells with damaged DNA to survive and proliferate, leading to tumor development.
A 62-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular studies reveal inactivation of p53. Which of the following best describes the normal role of p53 in preventing tumor development?
- It acts as a cell cycle checkpoint, inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage
- It is a proto-oncogene that promotes cell growth
- It facilitates DNA repair by initiating transcription of repair enzymes
- It regulates cell adhesion and migration
Answer: A. p53 is a critical tumor suppressor gene often referred to as the 'guardian of the genome'. Its normal function is to detect DNA damage and trigger cellular responses, such as cell cycle arrest to allow for repair or induction of apoptosis if the damage is irreparable, thus preventing the propagation of mutations that could lead to cancer.
A 62-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B develops hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular studies reveal inactivation of p53. Which of the following best describes the normal role of p53 in preventing tumor development?
- It promotes cell cycle progression.
- It induces apoptosis in damaged cells.
- It activates telomerase.
- It stimulates angiogenesis.
Answer: B. p53 is a tumor suppressor gene that acts as a 'guardian of the genome'. Its normal functions include inducing cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage, promoting DNA repair, and initiating apoptosis (programmed cell death) if the damage is irreparable. Inactivation of p53 allows cells with damaged DNA to survive and proliferate, increasing the risk of cancer development.