by
George Ioannou, MD, MS
;
Adrienne Landsteiner, PhD
;
Timothy Wilt, MD, MPH
Seminar date: 5/23/2024
Description: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with Veterans at greater HCC risk compared with the general population. The goal of screening programs is to reduce all-cause and disease specific morbidity and mortality with acceptable harms, burden, and costs. Despite a growing literature base, increasing interest, and specialty society recommendations, uncertainty remains about the effectiveness and comparative effectiveness of HCC screening in at-risk adults. Based on a topic nomination from the National Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program (NGHP) the Minneapolis VA Evidence Synthesis Program Center conducted a systematic review of the literature about imaging-based screening strategies including ultrasound, MRI, and CT scanning (with or without alpha fetal protein testing) to inform VA practice and policy. We found that the evidence was very uncertain regarding imaging-based screening effectiveness, harms, and comparative effects. The Cyberseminar will summarize and encourage dialog about the ESP process as well as the current topic, key clinical questions, findings, and implications for practice, policy, and research.
DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript
