Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Purpose
In several Asian countries, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths. HCC risk factors in Asia differ from those elsewhere and are changing with the treatment landscape as systemic treatment options increase. This study was conducted to gain insight from physicians and patients into HCC screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies in Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.Methods
Two cross-sectional, anonymized, online surveys were completed between July and December 2022 by physicians diagnosing and treating HCC (55 questions on risk factors, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment) and patients ≥ 18 years old diagnosed with HCC (36 questions on disease knowledge, quality of life, and experiences of diagnosis and treatment).Results
Responses were received from 276 physicians in all 7 countries and 130 patients in Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. From the physician's perspective, surveillance programs are widespread but identify insufficient HCC cases; only 18% are early-stage HCC at diagnosis. From the patient's perspective, knowledge of risk factors increases after diagnosis, but few seek support from patient associations; patients would benefit from better communication from their doctors. Treatment affordability and side effects are key issues for patients.Conclusions
Awareness of the risk factors for HCC should be raised in primary care and the general population, and surveillance should identify early-stage HCC. Because patients rely on their doctors for support, doctors should better understand their patients' needs, and patients could be supported by trained nurses or case managers. Programs are needed to increase patients' access to proven HCC treatments.
SUBMITTER: Mohamed R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11347480 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Mohamed Rosmawati R Wang Wendy W Tanwandee Tawesak T Hasan Irsan I Pham Cam Phuong CP Lim Young-Suk YS Lu Sheng-Nan SN Munisamy Murallitharan M Tran Thi Thanh Huong TTH Ratnawati Evy E Sukeepaisarnjaroen Wattana W Karababa Mahir M Tan Chee-Kiat CK
Journal of gastrointestinal cancer 20240712 3
<h4>Purpose</h4>In several Asian countries, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths. HCC risk factors in Asia differ from those elsewhere and are changing with the treatment landscape as systemic treatment options increase. This study was conducted to gain insight from physicians and patients into HCC screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies in Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.<h4>Methods</h4>Two cross-sectional, anonymized, on ...[more]