Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Clin Liver Dis. 2025 Feb;29(1):17-31. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.09.001. Epub 2024 Oct 28.

Abstract

This article reviews surveillance for the detection of early stage hepatocellular carcinoma, covering the rationale for surveillance, optimal selection of persons needing surveillance, methods and frequency of screening, strategies for addressing barriers to surveillance, and trends for future improvement in surveillance leading to more effective cancer control and improved patient outcomes. The importance of integrating liver cancer surveillance as a core component of national public health programs is emphasized. The impact of emerging technologies for identifying persons at risk, stratifying individual risk to improve the cost-effectiveness of surveillance programs, and improving the performance, accessibility, and convenience of surveillance are discussed.

Keywords: Cancer control; Early detection; Screening; Surveillance; Survival.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / epidemiology
  • Early Detection of Cancer* / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Population Surveillance / methods
  • Risk Assessment / methods