National Consensus for Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Panama, 2022
Authors:   Department of Surgery, Pacifica Salud Hospital, Panama, Republic of Panama, Cukier Moises , Cabada-Lee José M. ,   Department of Surgery, Caja del Seguro Social, Panama, Republic of Panama, Méndez-Ríos Jorge D. ,   Department of Genetics, Caja de Seguro Social, Panama, Republic of Panama and Universidad Interamericana de Panama, School of Medicine, Panama, Republic of Panama, Arauz Rafaél ,   Department of Radiation Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Arauz Erik ,   Division of Oncology, Pacifica Salud Hospital, Panama, Republic of Panama, Carreño Norberto ,   Gastroenterology Section, Hospital Santo Tomás, Panama, Republic of Panama, Clavel Ivette ,   Department of Radiology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Cubilla-Rodríguez Jan A. ,   Gastroenterology Section, Hospital Santo Tomás, Panama, Republic of Panama, De Gracia Dafnia ,   Palliative Care Unit, Pacifica Salud Hospital, Panama, Republic of Panama, Díaz Iván ,   Department of Surgical Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, El Achtar Olivia ,   Department of Surgical Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Franco Kenia ,   Palliative Care Unit, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Lobardo-Quezada Julissa ,   Hepatology Unit, Gastrointestinal and Liver Institute, Panama, Republic of Panama, Loo Yong ,   Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama and Division of Oncology, Pacifica Salud Hospital, Panama, Republic of Panama, Menéndez Melisa I. ,   Department of Surgery, Caja del Seguro Social, Panama, Republic of Panama, Pérez-Jiménez Gaspar ,   Department of Radiation Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Pinto-Llerena José ,   Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Richards-Cantora Lizka ,   Department of Surgery, Caja del Seguro Social, Panama, Republic of Panama, Rodríguez-Bravo Mauricio ,   Department of Surgery, Caja del Seguro Social, Panama, Republic of Panama, Ruiz Maylin ,   Department of Radiology, Pacifica Salud Hospital, Panama, Republic of Panama, Suñé Karen E. ,   Palliative Care Unit, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Veliz Ignacio ,   Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama, Vergara-Vásquez Ruth ,   Department of Anatomical Pathology, Instituto Oncologico Nacional, Panama, Republic of Panama
Published: January 2023

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered the main primary neoplasm of the liver and its incidence is expected to increase in the next years. HCC is frequently associated with chronic liver disease secondary to hepatitis B or C infections, as well to alcohol abuse, fatty liver and metabolic syndrome. Multidisciplinary and individualized management has been shown to improve clinical outcome; nevertheless, in Panama and others Latin-American countries, there is no clear consensus for the management of this disease. Methodology Using Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation II (AGREE II) methodology and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) criteria, we developed a multidisciplinary consensus for the management of hepatocarcinoma patients in Panama. Results This document synthesizes the current evidence on risk factors in conjunction with recommendations on the management of early, advanced and terminal disease. All healthcare personnel involved in the approach and treatment of hepatocarcinoma in Panama can find utility and applicability in their daily practice. Conclusion Here, we present the first National Consensus for the Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Panama