Abstract
Background: Ninety percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have cirrhosis. Bleeding esophageal varices (BEV) is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. Detection of HCC in cirrhotic patients with BEV has not been studied. Methods: Two hundred eleven unselected patients with cirrhosis and BEV were randomized to endoscopic sclerotherapy (n = 106) or emergency portacaval shunt (n = 105). Diagnostic workup and treatment were initiated within 8 hours. Ninety-six percent had >10 years of follow-up. HCC screening involved serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) every 3 months, ultrasonography every 6 months, and selective computed tomography (CT). Results: HCC occurred in 15 patients, all incurable, a mean of 2.94 years after entry. They died a mean 1.33 years after discovery. Serial AFP and ultrasound examinations were unrevealing over a mean of 2.3 years. The mean model of end-stage liver disease score was 12.7 at entry and 17.4 at HCC diagnosis. Conclusions: Long-term screening by AFP and ultrasound plus selective CT failed to detect HCC at a curable stage. The detection of HCC in cirrhotic patients with BEV remains a serious, unsolved problem. The use of CT for routine screening warrants consideration despite increased costs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 182-190 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | American journal of surgery |
Volume | 203 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2012 |
Keywords
- Bleeding esophageal varices
- Cirrhosis
- Emergency portacaval shunt
- Endoscopic sclerotherapy
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- Screening for HCC
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery