Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis is normally performed through physical examination, followed by imaging and blood tests and, in some cases, a sample of liver tissue (biopsy).
Different HCC stages determine different treatment strategies
The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system is the most commonly used method to classify HCC. This system categorizes patients based on tumour burden, which includes factors such as the number and size of tumours, the presence of vascular invasion or metastasis, and the extent of liver dysfunction.
HepatoPredict
HepatoPredict is a laboratory test designed to help predict the outcomes of liver transplantation. It analyses a small tumour sample and combines this information with details from imaging tests, such as the number of nodules and their size. Using a computational algorithm, HepatoPredict determines whether a patient is likely to remain disease-free after transplantation (good prognosis) or if there’s a higher chance of the tumour returning (bad prognosis).
This information contributes to more patients benefiting from liver transplantation and receiving better care and monitoring afterward, improving overall outcome.
Talk to your clinician
If you are a patient with HCC talk to your doctor to find out whether the HepatoPredict test is suitable for you.
Reig et al (2022) BCLC strategy for prognosis predication and treatment recommendation: The 2022 update. Journal of Hepatology. doi: https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.11.018
Santopaolo et al (2019) Liver transplantation for hepatocelular carcinoma: Where do we stand? World Journal of Gastroenterology. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i21.2591
Degroote H et al (2022) Different Models to Predict the Risk of Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Setting of Liver Transplantation. doi: 10.3390/cancers14122973.