title: Ultrasound screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with advanced liver fibrosis. An overview.
abstract: Liver cirrhosis is the major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All etiologic forms of liver cirrhosis may be complicated by HCC but the risk is higher in patients with hepatitis B or C viral infection. Patients at high risk for developing HCC should be included in surveillance programs. Groups at high risk are: all cirrhotic patients; non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced liver fibrosis (F3), non-cirrhotic HBV carriers with active hepatitis. Current guidelines issued by AASLD and EASL recommend surveillance among high-risk patients by ultrasound (with or without alpha-fetoprotein) every 6 months. The aim of ultrasound screening and surveillance is to detect HCC at an early stage, when it is amenable to curative therapy, to reduce mortality. For good results, ultrasound examination must be done by highly experienced personnel, with extensive experience in the field of hepatic ultrasound.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", WFUMB Center of Excellence, Timisoara, Romania. mireladanila@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dănilă
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", WFUMB Center of Excellence, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Ioan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sporea
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D008403:Mass Screening; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins