Lower hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease: Impact on treatment eligibility

Abstract Background and Aim This study aimed to compare the determinants and impact of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance rates for people with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) versus other chronic liver diseases. Methods A dataset of HCC patients from a UK hospital (2007–2022) was analyzed. The Mann–Whitney U ‐test compared continuous variables. The χ 2 and two‐tailed Fisher exact tests compared categorical data. Regression modeling analyzed the impact of MASLD on the size and number of HCC nodules and curative treatment. The Cox proportional hazards model assessed the influence of MASLD on overall survival. Results A total of 176 of 687 (25.6%) HCC patients had MASLD. Fewer people with MASLD HCC were enrolled in HCC surveillance compared to non‐MASLD HCC (38 21.6% vs 215 42.1%, P < 0.001). Patients with MASLD HCC were less likely to have been under secondary care ( n = 57 32.4% vs 259 50.7%, P < 0.001) and less likely to have cirrhosis ( n = 113 64.2% vs 417 81.6%, P < 0.001). MASLD was associated with a 12.3‐mm (95% confidence interval CI 10.8–14.0 mm) greater tumor diameter compared to people without MASLD ( P = 0.002). Patients with MASLD HCC had 0.62 reduced odds (95% CI 0.43–0.91) of receiving curative treatment compared to non‐MASLD HCC ( P = 0.014). Overall survival was similar for patients with MASLD HCC versus non‐MASLD HCC (hazard ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.85–1.25, P = 0.748). Conclusion Patients with MASLD are less likely to have been enrolled in HCC surveillance due to undiagnosed cirrhosis or presenting with non‐cirrhotic HCC. Patients with MASLD HCC present with larger tumors and are less likely to receive curative treatment.