Effect of Advanced Fibrosis Presence on Adherence to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients with Sustained Virologic Response

Objectives: Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening is accepted as standard care in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) diagnosis, sustained viral response (SVR) has been obtained by treatment and it is not certain what the condition is in the group of patients with advanced fibrosis who are at increased risk for developing HCC before treatment. In this cohort of patients, the practice of HCC was intended to be evaluated in real life conditions. Materials and Methods: Between 2007-2019, the information cards of the patients diagnosed with CHC were retrospectively examined. Patients with advanced fibrosis,prior the treatment, who had obtained SVR were enrolled in the study. HCC screening was defined as alpha-fetoprotein testing and liver imaging combined. HCC surveillance every 6 months or more was defined as compliance with screening guidelines. Results: The number of patients in the study was 83 (n=32, cirrhosis). During the follow-up period, the median was 35 (13-124) months, 24 (6.1%) patients were diagnosed with HCC. 48.2% (n=40) of the patients observed screening guidelines, while 22.9% (n=19) did not follow the guidelines; 28.9% (n=24) did not have screening. Conclusion: HCC screening in CHC patients with advanced fibrosis is not carried out in accordance with the guidelines.