Rates and factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, stage, treatment, and survival

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Up-to-date information is needed on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis, stage, treatment, and survival. METHODS: Of > 2000 patients with a new diagnosis of HCC in 2023 in the US Veterans Health Administration, a random subsample of 194 confirmed HCC cases were selected for a structured medical record review by expert hepatologists. RESULTS: Among 194 confirmed HCC cases in 2023, mean age was 73 years, and only 56.7% had cirrhosis diagnosed before HCC, while 12.9% had cirrhosis diagnosed after HCC and 22.2% did not have cirrhosis. Stage at diagnosis was T1 in 17.5%, T2 in 42.3%, and beyond T2 in 40.2%. Early-stage diagnosis (T1 or T2) was more common in the following groups: cirrhosis diagnosed before HCC (70.9%), HCC diagnosed by screening (86.3%), high performance status (73.0%), receipt of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care (63.3%), or VA liver care (72.6%). Among 147 of 194 patients (75.8%) who received HCC-directed treatments, the most common, first-line treatment was Y-90 radioembolization (28.6%), followed by ablation (21.1%), transarterial chemoembolization (20.4%), systemic therapy (17.0%), surgical resection (7.5%), and external beam radiation (5.4%). Mortality (29.9% at 1 year, 44.8% at 2 years) was lower in those with early-stage diagnosis, diagnosis via screening, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease ≤ 10, absence of cirrhosis, cured hepatitis C virus, receipt of curative treatments, VA primary or liver care, and good performance status. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of HCC screening and engagement in liver care for early HCC diagnosis, curative treatment, and improved survival while demonstrating the feasibility of a national quality improvement program for addressing persistent gaps in the HCC screening, diagnosis, and treatment.