Dr. Singal on the Importance of Early Diagnosis in HCC

Amit G. Singal, MD, associate professor, UT Southwestern Medical Center, discusses the importance of early diagnosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

There have been several advances with locoregional and systemic therapies in HCC, says Singal. However, early identification and diagnosis remains a key component in the management of these patients.

Patients with early-stage HCC should be referred to a transplant center to determine whether or not they are eligible for surgical resection or liver transplant, explains Singal.

Though checkpoint inhibitors have improved survival for patients, they are associated with a risk of transplant rejection, says Singal. As such, transplant eligibility should be determined before beginning systemic therapy, concludes Singal.