Korean J Gastroenterol.  2002 Jan;39(1):1-3.

The Interval of Screening for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Han JY

Abstract

Screening for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been accepted for the management of patients with chronic liver disease. In order to decrease mortality, the early detection of HCC is very important. Generally, HCC smaller than 3 cm in diameter can be cured. Ultrasonography is the most frequently used imaging test for screening of HCC. HCC smaller than 1 cm is seldom detected with ultrasonography. Therefore, the duration of growth from 1 cm to 3 cm appears to be used to determine the optimal interval of screening for HCC. The mean doubling time of HCC has been reported to be between 3.5 and 7 months, its difference was variable according to patients. Therefore, six-month screening is believed to detect most of HCC smaller than 3 cm. However, shortening of the interval and/or the use of additional diagnostic methods such as abdominal CT should be considered according to clinial charicteristics of patients.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Screening; Interval; Doubling time

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Humans
Liver Diseases
Mass Screening*
Mortality
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ultrasonography