Egyptian Society of Liver Cancer Recommendation Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer. The prevalence of this pathology, which has been on the rise in the last 30 years, has been predicted to continue increasing. HCC is the most common cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Egypt and is also the most common cancer in males. Chronic liver diseases, including chronic hepatitis C, which is a primary health concern in Egypt, are considered major risk factors for HCC. However, HCC surveillance is recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and liver cirrhosis; those above 40 with HBV but without cirrhosis; individuals with hepatitis D co-infection or a family history of HCC; and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients exhibiting significant fibrosis or cirrhosis. Several international guidelines aid physicians in the management of HCC. However, the availability and cost of diagnostic modalities and treatment options vary from one country to another. Therefore, the current guidelines aim to standardize the management of HCC in Egypt. The recommendations presented in this report represent the current management strategy at HCC treatment centers in Egypt. Recommendations were developed by an expert panel consisting of hepatologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists working under the umbrella of the Egyptian Society of Liver Cancer. The recommendations, which are based on the currently available local diagnostic aids and treatments in the country, include recommendations for future prospects.

Keywords:

• hepatocellular carcinoma
• clinical recommendations
• Egyptian society of liver cancer
• hepatitis c virus
• Egypt
• guidelines

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Egyptian Society of Liver Cancer Recommendation Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma [Corrigendum]

Acknowledgments

The Egyptian Liver Cancer Committee would like to thank the faculty and experts who provided critical reviews of these consensus statements.

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services provided medical writing and editing support in the preparation of these statements.

Disclosure

Dr Hamdy Azim reports grants, personal fees from Roche, grants from Astra Zenca, personal fees from Bayer, during the conduct of the study; grants, personal fees from Novartis, grants, personal fees from Pfizer, grants, personal fees from MSD, personal fees from BMS, personal fees from GSK, outside the submitted work. Prof. Dr. Imam Waked reports personal fees, Investigator Advisory Board Member from Astra Zeneca, personal fees from Hoffman La Roche, personal fees from Bayer, during the conduct of the study; Investigator from Abbvie, personal fees, Advisory Board from Eva Pharma, Investigator from Pfizer, other from Investigator, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

CTI’s support was funded by Roche (Egypt) and Bayer (Egypt).