Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common consequence of chronic liver disease, ranks among the most prevalent cancers globally and contributes significantly to cancer-related mortality. Liver fibrosis is intimately associated with hepatic function and the likelihood of future HCC occurrence. Despite...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Razvan Cerban, Speranta Iacob, Carmen Ester, Mihaela Ghioca, Mirela Chitul, Razvan Iacob, Liana Gheorghe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Diagnostics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1087
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850032173623541760
author Razvan Cerban
Speranta Iacob
Carmen Ester
Mihaela Ghioca
Mirela Chitul
Razvan Iacob
Liana Gheorghe
author_facet Razvan Cerban
Speranta Iacob
Carmen Ester
Mihaela Ghioca
Mirela Chitul
Razvan Iacob
Liana Gheorghe
author_sort Razvan Cerban
collection DOAJ
description Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common consequence of chronic liver disease, ranks among the most prevalent cancers globally and contributes significantly to cancer-related mortality. Liver fibrosis is intimately associated with hepatic function and the likelihood of future HCC occurrence. Despite the fact that liver biopsy continues to be the gold standard for diagnosing fibrosis, its utility is hindered by cost and invasiveness, along with patient unease, procedural rejection, and potential adverse effects. Liver elastography has become a leading noninvasive means of assessing tissue stiffness with considerable diagnostic precision. Malignant tumors generally exhibit higher cellularity in comparison to benign ones, resulting in increased stiffness. Elastography techniques capitalize on alterations in tissue elasticity stemming from specific pathological or physiological processes. Technological innovations, such as advanced ultrasound imaging and artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated systems, are paving the way for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and risk prediction. Recent research underscores the potential of elastography in managing HCC patients, presenting novel clinical applications, including prediction of HCC development, differentiation between malignant and benign liver lesions, evaluating treatment response, and forecasting recurrence post-treatment, though certain findings remain contentious. Therefore, this review aims to sum up the latest advancements in liver elastography for HCC patients, outlining its applications while addressing existing limitations and avenues for future progress.
format Article
id doaj-art-3474037db49e4a0fbfc2a504e00f936b
institution DOAJ
issn 2075-4418
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Diagnostics
spelling doaj-art-3474037db49e4a0fbfc2a504e00f936b2025-08-20T02:58:44ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-04-01159108710.3390/diagnostics15091087Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular CarcinomaRazvan Cerban0Speranta Iacob1Carmen Ester2Mihaela Ghioca3Mirela Chitul4Razvan Iacob5Liana Gheorghe6Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaCenter for Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplant, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common consequence of chronic liver disease, ranks among the most prevalent cancers globally and contributes significantly to cancer-related mortality. Liver fibrosis is intimately associated with hepatic function and the likelihood of future HCC occurrence. Despite the fact that liver biopsy continues to be the gold standard for diagnosing fibrosis, its utility is hindered by cost and invasiveness, along with patient unease, procedural rejection, and potential adverse effects. Liver elastography has become a leading noninvasive means of assessing tissue stiffness with considerable diagnostic precision. Malignant tumors generally exhibit higher cellularity in comparison to benign ones, resulting in increased stiffness. Elastography techniques capitalize on alterations in tissue elasticity stemming from specific pathological or physiological processes. Technological innovations, such as advanced ultrasound imaging and artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated systems, are paving the way for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and risk prediction. Recent research underscores the potential of elastography in managing HCC patients, presenting novel clinical applications, including prediction of HCC development, differentiation between malignant and benign liver lesions, evaluating treatment response, and forecasting recurrence post-treatment, though certain findings remain contentious. Therefore, this review aims to sum up the latest advancements in liver elastography for HCC patients, outlining its applications while addressing existing limitations and avenues for future progress.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1087liver elastographyhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)liver fibrosis assessmentacoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)tumor stiffnesstransient elastography (TE)
spellingShingle Razvan Cerban
Speranta Iacob
Carmen Ester
Mihaela Ghioca
Mirela Chitul
Razvan Iacob
Liana Gheorghe
Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Diagnostics
liver elastography
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
liver fibrosis assessment
acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)
tumor stiffness
transient elastography (TE)
title Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
title_full Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
title_fullStr Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
title_short Liver Elastography Methods for Diagnosis of De Novo and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma
title_sort liver elastography methods for diagnosis of de novo and recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma
topic liver elastography
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
liver fibrosis assessment
acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)
tumor stiffness
transient elastography (TE)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1087
work_keys_str_mv AT razvancerban liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma
AT sperantaiacob liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma
AT carmenester liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma
AT mihaelaghioca liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma
AT mirelachitul liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma
AT razvaniacob liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma
AT lianagheorghe liverelastographymethodsfordiagnosisofdenovoandrecurrenthepatocellularcarcinoma