Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Latino Populations in Texas: A Scoping Review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in Texas is 45% higher than the national average, with disproportionate burden among the Hispanic/Latino population. Despite significant health disparities, comprehensive evidence on HCC risk factors specific to this population remains limited. This scoping review of 20 primarily observational studies utilized PubMed, EbscoHost, and the PRISMA-ScR checklist to map risk factors in south Texas. Results show that metabolic dysfunction, specifically diabetes and obesity, increases advanced liver disease odds by 7- to 12-fold compared to non-Hispanic groups. Environmental exposures are also significant: aflatoxin was detected in 5.7 to 7.3% of Hispanic/Latino HCC tumors, and cases demonstrated 6-fold higher odds of aflatoxin biomarkers, while alcohol contributed to 3.0% of cancers. Furthermore, PNPLA3 genetic variants exerted synergistic effects with obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Among four intervention studies, strategies included low-dose calcium montmorillonite clay for aflatoxin reduction, community-health-worker-integrated chronic care, and hospital-based hepatitis screening. However, critical research gaps remain regarding multirisk factor interactions, toxin dose–response characterization, dietary interventions, and longitudinal data. These findings underscore the urgent need for culturally tailored, community-engaged prevention programs and ethnicity-specific HCC guidelines for the Texas Hispanic/Latino population to effectively address these rising health disparities.