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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Can hepatocellular cancer screening increase the proportion of long-term survivors?
Christopher J Gannon1, Francesco Izzo, Thomas A Aloia
1Division of Surgical Oncology, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, USA. gannoncj@umdnj.edu
Background/Aims:
Historically, only 10% of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients are diagnosed with early stage, potentially curable disease. We prospectively screened chronic hepatitis virus-infected patients to determine 1) the proportion diagnosed with potentially curable HCC, and 2) survival following curative therapy.
Methodology:
The study included 5670 chronic hepatitis B (1,077, 19.0%), C (4,196, 74.0%), or both (397, 7.0%)-infected patients enrolled in a prospective screening program. Screening was every 6 months with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement and ultrasonography. Curative treatments included liver transplantation, resection, RFA, and/or ethanol injection.
Results:
HCC was diagnosed in 464 (8.2%) patients. Of 1006 cirrhotic patients, 462 (45.9%) developed HCC. Curative treatment was possible in 319 (68.7%). The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates in the curative treatment group were 65% and 28%, respectively, compared to 10% and 0% in the advanced disease group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Prospective screening of patients at high risk to develop HCC increases the proportion diagnosed with potentially curable disease. This may result in an increase of the number of long-term survivors. A screening strategy should focus on those patients with chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection that has progressed to cirrhosis since more than 40% of these patients will develop HCC.
