Chronic hepatitis C and screening for hepatocellular carcinoma.
It is now at least theoretically possible to prevent patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from dying of HCC. Screening identifies small potentially curable lesions, and the diagnostic algorithm allows for efficient investigation and diagnosis. Radiofrequency ablation completely ablates more than 05% of lesions smaller than 2 cm. Second primary cancers can be dealt with in the same manner as the initial primary. If the management of HCC is so efficient and effective, liver transplantation may come to be used as a last resort, rather than the treatment of choice. This benefits patients with hepatitis C and other liver diseases because more organs become available for treatment of other liver diseases.
Sherman
Morris
M
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada. morris.sherman@uhn.on.ca
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins