Kudo Masatoshi, Oanh Bui Thi, Chen Chien-Jen, Ngat Do Thi, George Jacob, Kim Do Young, Pimsawadi Luckxawan, Tangkijvanich Pisit, Pwu Raoh-Fang, Mohamed Rosmawati, Bunnag Sakarn, Lu Sheng-Nan, Kudtiyakarn Sirintip, Kanto Tatsuya, Piratvisuth Teerha, Wu Chao-Chun, Sarno Roberta
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.
Department of Epidemiology, National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam.
Cancers (Basel). 2025 Jun 10;17(12):1928. doi: 10.3390/cancers17121928.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region bearing a disproportionate burden. This paper examines HCC challenges within seven APAC health systems, identifies key barriers at each stage of the patient journey, and proposes tailored, actionable solutions. To effectively address HCC challenges, a stepwise approach should prioritise high-impact solutions, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and expanding surveillance to maximise health outcomes and economic benefits, while tailoring strategies to each health system's unique resources and constraints. A mixed-methods approach was used, including expert consultations from the 2024 HCC APAC Policy Forum, a literature review, and a review of Japan's HCC management model. Data were collected through workshops and stakeholder feedback from healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers and patient advocates across Australia, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Key findings include significant disparities in HCC awareness, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and access to treatment. Common challenges across APAC include limited public awareness, suboptimal surveillance infrastructure, and financial barriers to care. The integration of novel biomarkers and advanced surveillance modalities were identified as crucial priorities for improving early detection. Japan's multi-faceted approach to HCC management serves as a successful model for the region. A customised and targeted approach is essential for reducing the HCC burden across APAC. The proposed recommendations, tailored to each health system's needs, can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Effective collaboration among stakeholders is necessary to drive these changes.
肝细胞癌（HCC）是癌症相关死亡的主要原因，亚太（APAC）地区负担过重。本文研究了亚太地区七个卫生系统内的肝细胞癌挑战，确定了患者就医各阶段的关键障碍，并提出了量身定制的可行解决方案。为有效应对肝细胞癌挑战，逐步方法应优先考虑高影响力解决方案，重点是预防、早期诊断和扩大监测，以实现最大的健康结果和经济效益，同时根据每个卫生系统的独特资源和限制调整策略。采用了混合方法，包括2024年亚太肝细胞癌政策论坛的专家咨询、文献综述以及对日本肝细胞癌管理模式的回顾。通过研讨会以及来自澳大利亚、印度、马来西亚、韩国、台湾、泰国和越南的医疗保健专业人员、政策制定者、研究人员和患者倡导者的利益相关者反馈收集数据。主要发现包括肝细胞癌在认知、预防、早期发现、诊断和治疗可及性方面存在重大差异。亚太地区的常见挑战包括公众意识有限、监测基础设施欠佳以及医疗保健的经济障碍。新型生物标志物和先进监测方式的整合被确定为改善早期发现的关键优先事项。日本对肝细胞癌管理的多方面方法是该地区的成功典范。定制化和有针对性的方法对于减轻亚太地区的肝细胞癌负担至关重要。根据每个卫生系统的需求提出的建议可显著改善患者结局并降低医疗成本。利益相关者之间的有效合作对于推动这些变革至关重要。
