Liver carcinoma is becoming the main complication of cirrhosis. Treatment of symptomatic or large tumors is disappointing. Regular ultrasonographic screening of small (curable) tumors is currently recommended, but the best periodicity is unknown.This randomized trial is aimed to compare 6-month (current recommendation) and 3-month ultrasonographic screenings.
Patients: All consecutive patients with compensated HBV, HCV, alcohol or hemochromatosis-related cirrhosis (without any previous clinical complication including liver cancer). Randomization: factorial: ultrasonography (3-month versus 6-month); serum alfa-fetoprotein assay (none versus 6-month). End points: rate of small tumors (first main criteria); survival (second main criteria).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,200
Ultrasonographic screening
Hopital Jean Verdier
Paris, Île-de-France Region, France
Incidence of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Time frame: 6 months versus 3 months
Survival
Time frame: during the study
Clinical value of serum alfa-fetoprotein assay
Time frame: during the study
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