Ziauddin University in association with the
Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases organized an event on
Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Karachi: Ziauddin University in association with the Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD) organized an event on “Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma”. Dr. Ammad Hussain, Chief Executive of Dr. Ziauddin Hospital Clifton Campus welcomed the delegates.
President of PSSLD Prof. Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Head Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin Hospital Clifton Campus commenced the seminar with the presentation on “Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma” he highlighted the magnitude of this problem in Pakistan. He said that in Pakistan there was a need to organize, coordinated and national system of surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma. Early detection of carcinoma in high-risk groups will be the key to protect patients from the lethal consequences of this disease. He said that guidelines are available from AASLD, EASL, APASL, NCCN, VA, and JSH to develop surveillance programs for hepatocellular carcinoma. He said alfa fetoprotein, PIVKA (DCP) and alfa fetoprotein L3 biomarkers are helpful in the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. He mentioned the GALAD scoring that includes gender and age in addition to the biomarkers mentioned above.
Dr. Usman Ali, Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Ziauddin University discussed the “Tumor Markers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma” he thanked Prof. Zaigham Abbas for a very elaborating presentation on the surveillance of HCC. He focused on tumor markers from the pathology perspective.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Consultant Interventional Radiologist, Department of Radiology, Ziauddin University presented on “Perspective of Interventional Radiologist in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma” he said, ‘assessment of patients based on modified RECIST criteria is helpful in the measurement of tumor response. He further elaborated different radiological interventions for HCC like partial hepatectomy, PEI, RFA, Microwave Ablation, TACE, TARE or SIRT, and CyberKnife Radiosurgery.
Dr. Khurram Baqai, Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin Hospital discussed the “Role of Gastroenterologist in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma” he said etiological factors in Pakistan were hepatitis C and B viruses and rapidly increasing number of fatty liver diseases. He suggested to the physicians that if we could control the complications of HCV and NASH ultimately we would decrease the chance of HCC.
The last speaker of the seminar was Dr. Reena Kumari, Clinical Oncologist of Dr. Ziauddin Hospital. Her topic of the presentation was “Treatment Options for Advance HCC”. Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer Staging System (The BCLC system) stratifies HCC patients based on tumor size, extent, liver function, and performance status, Child class and also directs us for treatment strategy. For patients with progressive disease who are not eligible for loco-regional treatments, current FDA-approved first-line treatment options include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) Sorafenib, or Lenvatinib. She mentioned the recently approved first-line therapy for advanced HCC which includes atezolizumab and bevacizumab. She projected results of the IAmBrave study
KAHOOT Quiz Competition arranged after the presentations. The participants of the seminar enthusiastically participated in the quiz and interacted with speakers during the Q & A session. In the end, shields were presented to the speakers.