Artificial intelligence to predict hepatocellular carcinoma risk in cirrhosis

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The primary risk factor for HCC is cirrhosis. Identifying individuals who are at high risk of developing HCC will have numerous benefits for patient outcomes, patient quality of life, and the global healthcare system. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the capability to develop systems that emulate human intelligence. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of AI in the management of HCC, and the application of AI appears promising for identifying high-risk groups among patients with cirrhosis who require closer monitoring. Ultimately, the aim of AI in the field of HCC clinical care is to enable earlier diagnosis and consequently improve prognosis.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Cirrhosis; Prediction; Artificial intelligence; Prognosis; Machine learning

Core Tip: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem and cirrhosis is the principal risk factor for its development. Early diagnosis of HCC is associated with a better prognosis because curative treatment is feasible. The recommended screening strategy for patients with cirrhosis is ultrasound evaluation twice per year. However, the risk estimation of HCC is not the same in patients with cirrhosis, and as such risk stratification scores have been a focus of study in this population. The application of artificial intelligence has shown promise in screened patients with cirrhosis who are at the highest risk of developing HCC.