Objective  To evaluate the trend of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B (HB) and hepatitis C (HC) in Shenyang city, Liaoning province from 2007 to 2016.

  Methods  We collected data on all HB and HC patients hospitalized in the Sixth People's Hospital of Shenyang city of Liaoning province from January 2007 through December 2016 and analyzed the incidences of liver cancer among the patients by age and gender.

  Results  The number of HB and HC inpatients in the hospital increased yearly during the 10-year period, with a total number of 3 056 in 2007 and 7 524 in 2016; while, the incidence of liver cancer among the inpatients showed no significant upward trend, with a slightly lower incidence of 5.27% during the period from 2008 to 2013 but a higher rate of 6.22% – 6.66% during the period of 2014 – 2016 compared to the incidence rate of 5.87% in 2007. The male inpatients had a significantly higher incidence of liver cancer than the female inpatients (6.48% vs. 5.10%, χ² = 24.496; P < 0.01). The liver cancer incidence rate was significantly higher (1.97%) in the inpatients aged 50 – 59 years but lower (0.04%) in those aged 18 – 29 years in comparison with the incidence rate among the inpatients of other age groups (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  The variation trend of liver cancer incidence rate among male HB and HC inpatients was different from that among the female HB and HC inpatients during the period of 2007 – 2016 and the number of liver cancer incidents was higher among the inpatients at ages of 50 – 59 years. The results suggest that liver cancer prevention and control need to be strengthened in high risk populations.