How to improve HCC surveillance outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Surveillance programs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are inadequately implemented outside specialized centers.
• Deficiencies exist across all stages of HCC surveillance, hindering early detection and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and address critical obstacles in current HCC surveillance programs.
• To explore areas for improvement in risk stratification, surveillance tools, and diagnostic algorithms for HCC.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing HCC surveillance protocols and risk assessment tools.
• Analysis of controversies surrounding surveillance modalities (biomarkers, ultrasound) and diagnostic criteria.
• Identification of knowledge gaps in risk prediction and early lesion detection.

Main Results:

• Current HCC surveillance faces significant execution challenges.
• Risk assessment models lack universal validation and clear triggers for initiating surveillance.
• Optimal surveillance tools (biomarkers, ultrasound) and diagnostic algorithms for early-stage HCC remain undefined.

Conclusions:

• Overcoming current implementation barriers is crucial for enhancing HCC surveillance.
• Further research is essential to validate risk scores, define optimal surveillance strategies, and develop robust diagnostic algorithms for early HCC detection.