Surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection may improve patient survival

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Abstract
Abstract: Background: The benefit of surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in terms of long‐term survival, has not yet been established.Methods: A total of 384 consecutive anti‐HCV‐positive HCC patients admitted to our hospital between January 1991 and October 2003 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups, a surveillance group (182 patients) and a non‐surveillance group (202 patients), according to tumor detection in a surveillance program based on periodical examination via ultrasound sonography and alpha fetoprotein determination at 6‐month intervals, and their survival rates were compared.Results: Although there were no significant differences in age and Child–Pugh classes between the two groups, the surveillance group exhibited a smaller tumor size (19 vs. 35 mm) and a higher incidence of single HCC (67% vs. 46%), compared with the non‐surveillance group (each, PPConclusions: HCC surveillance for patients with HCV infection can lead to discovery of tumors at an early stage, especially in Child–Pugh class A, resulting in a favorable outcome.

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