In this first of a three-part series, Maarouf Hoteit, MD, examines the rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States. Dr. Hoteit then analyzes the relationship between hepatic cancers and the liver diseases hepatitis C and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as a prelude to an overview of preventative strategies for both liver disease and cancer in the effort to reduce HCC related mortality.