Would Screening the Above 50’s for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in an Endemic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Belt Be Cost-effective?

¹Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, S.W. Region, Cameroon, West Africa

*Corresponding author: Elroy Patrick Weledji, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, West Africa and Holy Family Foundation, Livanda Kongo Hill, Lumpsum Quarters, Limbe, S.W, Region, Cameroon, E-mail: [email protected], ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0473-4883.

Received Date: May 23, 2026

Published Date: October 15, 2026

Citation: Weledji EP. (2026). Would Screening the Above 50’s for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Hcc) in an Endemic Hepatitis B Virus (Hbv) Belt Be Cost-effective? Mathews J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 11(2):43.

Copyrights: Weledji EP, © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Although primary prevention is most important, the future of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still relies on secondary prevention via the effective treatment of the causative hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) infections and, surveillance of high-risk individuals for early diagnosis and management. In low resourced regions such as in Sub-Saharan Africa, a combination of a high- resolution contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and tumour marker (alpha- fetoprotein) testing can increase sensitivity for detecting HCC. They are convenient, non-invasive and easily accessible and assessable screening methods. The author proposes that there may be a survival benefit and cost-effectiveness in screening all people above 50 in an endemic HBV belt. The cost per tumour detected may be inversely proportional to the tumour incidence in an endemic HBV region.

Keywords: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Screening, Over 50’s, Endemic Hepatitis B Belt