Chinese expert consensus on refined diagnosis, treatment, and management of advanced primary liver cancer (2023 edition)
Xiufeng Liu, Feng Xia, Yue Chen, Hui‐Chuan Sun, Zhengqiang Yang, Bo Chen, Ming Zhao, Xinyu Bi, Tao Peng, Aizier Ainiwaer, Zhiwen Luo, Fu‐Sheng Wang, Yinying Lu
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), commonly known as primary liver cancer, is a major cause of malignant tumors and cancer-related deaths in China, accounting for approximately 85% of all cancer cases in the country. Several guidelines have been used to diagnose and treat liver cancer. However, these guidelines provide a broad definition for classifying advanced liver cancer, with an emphasis on a singular approach, without considering treatment options for individual patients. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive and practical expert consensus, specifically for China, to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of HCC using the Delphi method. The classification criteria were refined for Chinese patients with HCC, and the corresponding optimal treatment regimen recommendations were developed. These recommendations took into account various factors, including tumor characteristics, vascular tumor thrombus grade, distant metastasis, liver function status, portal hypertension, and the hepatitis B virus replication status of patients with primary HCC, along with treatment prognosis. The findings and recommendations provide detailed, scientific, and reasonable individualized diagnosis and treatment strategies for clinicians.