In honor of World Hepatitis Day, we released a new position statement calling for expanded hep B treatment around the world. Click here to read more and speak up for people living with hep B by signing it. 

 

 

LiverCancerConnect

General Screening Recommendations

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) has issued the following screening recommendations for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC):

  • Patients at high risk for developing liver cancer should enter into screening programs
  • Patients on the liver transplant waiting list should be screened for liver cancer for two reasons:
    • In the United States, people who develop liver cancer are given increased priority for liver transplants
    • Failure to screen could result in patients developing liver cancer that progresses beyond the acceptable criteria for a liver transplant
  • Screening for liver cancer should be performed using ultrasound imaging
  • The alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test is not sensitive or specific enough to be used alone for screening or diagnosis of liver cancer
  • Patients should be screened at 6 month intervals if they have chronic hepatitis B or C infections