Table 1 Summary of guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening protocols
From: HCC screening: assessment of an abbreviated non-contrast MRI protocol
Association/society, abbreviation, year [reference number] | Definition of high-risk population to be screened | Method of surveillance (interval when specified by the guideline) |
|---|---|---|
European Association for the Study of the Liver, EASL, 2018 [9] | • Cirrhosis • F3 hepatic fibrosis • Non-cirrhotic hepatitis B patients with intermediate-high HCC risk (PAGE-B score or higher) | Ultrasound (6 months) |
Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver, APASL, 2018 [8] | • Cirrhosis with hepatitis B or C infection, genetic haemochromatosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, autoimmune hepatitis. • Non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B carrier in patients who are:  o Asian female > 50 years  o Asian male > 40 years  o African > 20 years • Family history of HCC | Ultrasound (6 months) |
Combined American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, AASLD, 2018 [10] | Ultrasound + AFP (6 months) | |
Canadian Association for the Study of Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma, CASL, 2015 [6] | Ultrasound ± AFP (6 months) | |
National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN, 2018 [5] | Ultrasound ± AFP (6 months) | |
Korean Liver Cancer Study Group and the National Cancer Center, KLCSG-NCC, 2014 [13] | • Hepatitis B or C positive • Cirrhosis | Ultrasound + AFP (not stated) |
Japanese Society of Hepatology, JSH, 2015 [11] | Ultrasound + AFP and other serological markers (3–6 months depending on risk) | |
American College of Gastroenterology, ACG, 2014 [12] | • Suggestive of cirrhotic patients but not clearly stated | Ultrasound + AFP |