Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with 6-monthly liver ultrasound is recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B who are at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, even if they are receiving antiviral treatment. High-risk patient groups includeAustralian hepatitis B consensus statement 2022Australian hepatocellular carcinoma consensus statement 2020:

• patients with cirrhosis
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients older than 50 years
• Asian male patients older than 40 years
• Asian female patients older than 50 years
• sub-Saharan African patients older than 20 years
• patients with a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma in a first-degree relative.

Combining measurement of blood alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration with 6-monthly liver ultrasound may be considered for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinomaAustralian hepatocellular carcinoma consensus statement 2020Australian hepatitis B consensus statement 2022.

For more information on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance, see the Australian recommendations for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: a consensus statement, available online.