New study launched to more accurately diagnose early hepatocellular carcinoma
A first of its kind cohort study on patients at high risk of developing primary liver cancer also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been launched to diagnose HCC more accurately at an earlier stage and to predict an individual's likelihood of developing the cancer. HCC is the sixth most common cancer in the world but the third most common cause of cancer deaths globally. In Singapore, HCC is the third and fourth most common cause of cancer deaths, amongst males and females respectively.
While potentially curative treatment is possible with early diagnosis, only 20% of HCC cases are detected at a stage where cure is possible. This investigator-initiated multi-centre study led by the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS) called EarLy DEtection of HCC: miRNA, microbiome and imaGing biomArkers in the evolution of chroNiC livEr Disease in a high-risk prospective cohort (ELEGANCE), addresses this urgent, unmet need for individuals at high risk of developing HCC.