Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Several studies have shown PBC to confer increased risk to develop HCC. Parameters recognized as risk factors for the development of HCC in PBC include advanced age, male sex, and comorbidities. Advanced liver fibrosis is the most significant risk factor. Moreover, future studies should aim to clarify the role of treatment response as a risk factor for HCC development in PBC patients. To date, the only indication for HCC screening that is agreed on by all scientific societies is in patients with cirrhosis. HCC in PBC carries a poor prognosis compared with other chronic liver diseases with HCC, and liver transplantation offers the best survival rate among available therapies.

Automated summary

Several studies have shown that patients with PBC have an increased risk of developing HCC. Risk factors for HCC in PBC include advanced age, male sex, comorbidities, and advanced liver fibrosis. The role of treatment response as a risk factor for HCC development in PBC patients should be further investigated. HCC in PBC has a poor prognosis compared to other chronic liver diseases with HCC, and liver transplantation offers the highest survival rate among available therapies.