What is the best surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic carriers of hepatitis B?
Abstract
Screening patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBsAg+) for hepatocellular carcinoma by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or by AFP plus ultrasound (AFP/US) detects hepatocellular carcinoma tumors at earlier stages and increases resection rates (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on a systematic review of fair-quality randomized controlled trials). It is unclear whether screening with AFP or AFP/US improves disease-specific or all-cause mortality (SOR: B).
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