Background/Aims To reduce the cancer burden, the Korean government initiated the National Cancer Control Plan including the National Liver Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP). Ultrasonography examinations and α-fetoprotein tests at six-month intervals are currently offered for high-risk individuals. High-risk individuals are identified by reviewing the National Health Insurance Service claims data for medical use for the past two years using International Classification of Diseases Codes for specific liver disease. We surveyed the attitudes and opinions towards the NLCSP to understand the issues surrounding the NLCSP in Korea.
Methods Altogether, 90 Korean Liver Cancer Association members participated in online and offline surveys between November and December 2019.
Results Approximately one-quarter (27%) of the survey participants rated the NLCSP as very contributing and about two-thirds (68%) as contributing to some extent toward reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related deaths in Korea. Most (87.8%) responded that the current process of identifying high-risk individuals needs improvement. Many (78.9%) were concerned that the current process identifies individuals who use medical services and paradoxically misses those who do not. When asked for the foremost priority for improvement, solving ‘duplication issues between the NLCSP and private clinic HCC screening practices’ was the most commonly selected choice (23.3%).
Conclusions The survey participants positively rated the role of the NLCSP in reducing liver cancer deaths. However, many participants rated the NCLSP as needing improvement in all areas. This survey can be a relevant resource for future health policy decisions regarding the NLCSP in Korea.
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J Liver Cancer. 2018;18(2):130-141. Published online September 30, 2018
Background/Aims To evaluate the technical feasibility of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the major portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Methods Ten institutions affiliated with the Korean Stereotactic Radiosurgery Group were provided the contours of four cases: the first case was the first branch PVTT with sufficient normal liver volume (NLV), the second was the first branch PVTT with insufficient NLV, the third was the main trunk PVTT at confluence level, and the fourth was the main trunk PVTT with entire length. The institutions were asked to make SBRT plans according to their current treatment protocols and to complete facility questionnaires. Results Based on institutional protocols, SBRT was feasible in nine institutions for the first case (32-60 Gy in 3-5 fractions), in eight institutions for the second case (32-50 Gy in 3-5 fractions), in seven institutions for the third case (35-60 Gy in 3-5 fractions), and in four institutions for the fourth case (35-42 Gy in 4-5 fractions). The other institutions recommended hypo- or conventional fractionation due to insufficient NLV or gastrointestinal organ proximity. With analysis of the SBRT dose to the central hepatobiliary tract, the major PVTT could theoretically be associated with a high risk of hepatobiliary toxicity. Conclusions Although SBRT is a technically feasible option for HCC with the major PVTT, there was a variability among the participating institutions. Therefore, further studies will be necessary to standardize the practice of SBRT for the major PVTT.
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