Semiannual surveillance is superior to annual surveillance for the detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma and patient survival.
Santi V, Trevisani F, Gramenzi A et al.; Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) Group.
Editor’s note: There is little doubt that, despite the lack of formal evidence (with the exception of a large Chinese study (J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2004;130:417–22), ultrasound surveillance for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is undertaken by most hepatologists. The “traditional” interval between ultrasound scans has been 6 months, but guidelines have varied, with intervals of 6–12 months proposed. In this Italian study, a retrospective review was undertaken of the surveillance practice in a collaborative network of liver centers (ITA.LI.CA [Italian Liver Cancer] Group).