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©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2013; 19(40): 6744-6756
Published online Oct 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i40.6744
Published online Oct 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i40.6744
Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease: Evidence and controversies
Suzanne van Meer, Peter D Siersema, Karel J van Erpecum, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Robert A de Man, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Van Meer S, van Erpecum KJ collected the materials and wrote the manuscript; Siersema PD, de Man RA critically revised the manuscript and contributed to the manuscript writing; van Erpecum KJ supervised the manuscript; all authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Karel J van Erpecum, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Po BOX 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. k.j.vanerpecum@umcutrecht.nl
Telephone: +31-88-7557004 Fax: +31-88-7555533
Received: June 8, 2013
Revised: September 2, 2013
Accepted: September 15, 2013
Published online: October 28, 2013
Revised: September 2, 2013
Accepted: September 15, 2013
Published online: October 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a frequent phenomenon in cirrhotic patients. Survival is generally poor, and curative options only exist if the tumor is detected in an early stage (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0 or A). This review summarizes existing evidence for surveillance including ultrasound, other radiological modalities and various serum biomarkers, and current guideline recommendations for surveillance. Selection of the appropriate high risk populations remains an important tool for cost-effective surveillance.