Clinical Guidelines

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Clinical practice guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for people at high risk in Australia

The Clinical practice guidelines for HCC surveillance for people at high risk in Australia were approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on 14 April 2023 under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

The NHMRC-approved guidelines aim to provide information and recommendations to guide surveillance for people at high risk of HCC. Evidence has shown it to be successful in detecting lesions and/or early-stage tumours, increasing the receipt of curative treatment and improving overall survival[1][2].

The development of these Guidelines was led by eminent clinicians in the area of liver disease and liver cancer, Co-Chairs Professor Jacob George and Dr Nicole Allard, alongside a multi-disciplinary working party, including healthcare and clinical representatives, representatives with lived experience and other community representatives.


Clinical Guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for people at high risk in Australia

*Note: If you experience difficulty accessing this guideline please contact us on guidelines@cancer.org.au



Roadmap to Liver Cancer Control

Launched in June 2023, the Roadmap aims to reduce the liver cancer disease burden, improve outcomes and improve survival rates for all Australians affected by liver cancer over the next two, five, and ten years. Identifying key priorities that will pave the most efficient and effective way forward and setting a shared agenda to drive improvements in liver cancer care, experience and outcomes.

Roadmap to Liver Cancer Control in Australia

March 2023


[1] Singal AG, Zhang E, Narasimman M, Rich NE, Waljee AK, Hoshida Y, Yang JD, Reig M, Cabibbo G, Nahon P, Parikh ND, Marrero JA : HCC surveillance improves early detection, curative treatment receipt, and survival in patients with cirrhosis: A meta-analysis. J Hepatol 2022;77(1):128-139 Journal

[2] Jeffrey GP, Gordon L., Ramm G. : Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in Australia: time to improve the diagnosis of cirrhosis and use liver ultrasound. Med J Aust 2020;212(7):297-299 Journal

Guideline developed in association with: