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Hepatitis B and Cancer Risk: What You Need to Know

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research highlights a significant link between past Hepatitis B infections and an increased risk of certain blood cancers. Learn how to protect yourself."

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a widespread global infection, especially prevalent in Asia and Africa. While many know about its link to liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC), emerging research suggests a connection to other cancers as well. The good news is that there is a vaccine against HBV and it is recommended for all infants and children. Adults can also get vaccinated to prevent HBV.

Almost 10% of human cancers are triggered by oncovirus infections. While some viruses like human herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus are already linked to blood cancers, the role of HBV is still being explored. Because HBV can replicate in lymphoid cells, it might play a role in the development of hematological malignancies.

A recent large-scale study in China investigated the potential link between HBV infection and hematological malignancies. This retrospective cohort study looked at a large number of patients to evaluate the association between past HBV infection and the risk of developing blood cancers.

Unveiling the HBV-Blood Cancer Connection: What the Study Showed

DNA strand intertwining with a river landscape representing genetics and environmental health.

The study, conducted at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, analyzed data from 86,115 patients admitted between 2008 and 2015. The researchers compared two groups: those with prior HBV exposure (indicated by the presence of anti-HBc antibodies) and those without.

Here’s what they found:

Higher Prevalence of Past HBV Exposure: A significantly larger percentage of patients with hematological malignancies showed evidence of past HBV exposure compared to the control group (61.2% vs. 54.3%).
Increased Risk of Specific Blood Cancers: The study revealed a higher risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma in the HBV-infected group.
No Association with HBsAg Positivity: Interestingly, current HBV infection (indicated by HBsAg positivity) was not associated with an increased risk of blood cancers in this study. This contrasts with some previous research and may be due to the study's inclusion of all types of hematological malignancies.

The researchers also noted that patients with past exposure to HBV, who had cleared the infection and developed immunity (HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive), still faced a higher risk of certain blood cancers. This highlights the importance of understanding the long-term effects of HBV exposure, even after the infection is resolved.

What This Means for You: Taking Control of Your Health

While this research highlights a potential risk, it's important to remember that having HBV exposure doesn't guarantee you'll develop a blood cancer. However, it does underscore the importance of awareness and proactive healthcare. Talk to your doctor about your HBV status, especially if you have a history of HBV infection or live in an area with high HBV prevalence. Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect any potential problems early, when they are most treatable.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1159/000468973, Alternate LINK

Title: Risk Of Onset Of Hematological Malignancies In Patients Infected With The Hepatitis B Virus: Results From A Large-Scale Retrospective Cohort Study In China

Subject: Hematology

Journal: Acta Haematologica

Publisher: S. Karger AG

Authors: Xiaoyang Li, Yu Zheng, Hongming Zhu, Xiaojing Lin, Yunxiang Zhang, Yubing Zhao, Jiong Hu, Junmin Li

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and why is it relevant to this information?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a widespread infection, particularly in Asia and Africa. It's a virus that can lead to serious health problems. Research indicates that the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can increase the risk of certain blood cancers. While it is known for its link to liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC), new studies are showing its connection to hematological malignancies as well. Approximately 10% of human cancers are triggered by oncovirus infections, and HBV is being explored for its role in the development of hematological malignancies.

What did the study reveal about the link between Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and blood cancers?

The study conducted at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital investigated the link between Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure and hematological malignancies. It compared two groups: those with prior Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure (indicated by anti-HBc antibodies) and those without. The study revealed a higher prevalence of past Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure among patients with hematological malignancies and a higher risk of specific blood cancers, including B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma, in the HBV-exposed group.

What are the long-term implications of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure, even after the infection is resolved?

The study found that patients with prior Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure (anti-HBc-positive) faced a higher risk of certain blood cancers, even after clearing the infection. The implications are significant, suggesting that the long-term effects of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure can persist even after the infection has resolved. This emphasizes the importance of understanding your Hepatitis B virus (HBV) status and the need for regular check-ups and screenings, especially if you have a history of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or live in an area with high Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence.

What steps should individuals take if they have a history of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure?

If you have a history of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure, it's crucial to discuss your status with your doctor. This is especially important if you live in an area with high Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence. Regular check-ups and screenings are vital for early detection and prevention. Early detection allows for timely intervention and treatment if any potential problems arise. While Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure doesn't guarantee blood cancer, awareness, and proactive healthcare are essential steps.

What are the key findings regarding Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the risk of blood cancers?

The research highlights a connection between past Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and an increased risk of specific blood cancers. The key takeaways are the increased risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. There is a vaccine available against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and it is recommended for all infants and children. Adults can also get vaccinated to prevent Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Understanding your Hepatitis B virus (HBV) status is crucial for early detection and prevention.