[Concept of tumor promoters in hepatocarcinogenesis].

Tumor promotion is defined as 1 step of carcinogenesis. Its intervention occurred when cell DNA was already damaged by a carcinogen and is the support of quiescent mutations. This leads to a complete malignant transformation of the cells by a non genotoxic mechanism. The presence of tumor promoters in our environment, although difficult to estimate, must be taken into account. This requires further research.