Clinicopathological characteristics of non‐B non‐C hepatocellular carcinoma without past hepatitis B virus infection

Aim Past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is considered a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis, but the clinicopathological characteristics of non‐B non‐C hepatocellular carcinoma (NBNC‐HCC) excluding past HBV infection have not been investigated. This study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of strictly defined NBNC‐HCC. Methods Among HCC patients who underwent surgical resection at our affiliated hospitals in Nagano prefecture, Japan, between 1996 and 2012, 77 were negative for serum anti‐HBV core/surface antibodies in addition to HBV surface antigen and anti‐hepatitis C virus antibody without signs of autoimmune liver disease, Wilson disease, or hemochromatosis. These patients were divided into the alcohol intake‐positive group (ethanol intake >20 g/day, n = 31), non‐alcoholic fatty liver group (steatosis >5% and ethanol intake