Prospective Cohort for Early Detection of Liver Cancer
This study aims to recruit 3000 people with liver cirrhosis into a Prospective cohort for early detection of Liver cancer - the Pearl cohort. The study team believe that using a combination of novel tests may improve the detection of early Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
⁃ Patients of all genders, age \>18 years
⁃ Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
⁃ Evidence of cirrhosis CP A or B (as defined below, cirrhosis ever diagnosed), with an underlying aetiology of at least one of the following: chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or haemochromatosis
‣ Cirrhosis Diagnosis Definition
⁃ Histological assessment (Ishak stage 5 or 6) or
⁃ At least one of the following:
‣ i. Validated non-invasive marker of fibrosis including fibroscan, AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score \>2 or Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score \>10.48 or Fibrotest score \>0.73. Fibroscan readings should be assessed by aetiology as below:
• HBV: \>=10 kPa
• HCV: \>=14.5 kPa
• Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD): \>=19.5 kPa
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): \>=15 kPa
• Haemochromatosis: \>=12kPa ii. Evidence of varices at endoscopy or imaging in the context of a patent portal vein iii. Definitive radiological evidence of cirrhosis (i.e. nodularity of liver and splenomegaly on Ultrasound/CT)