Significance of predictive models / risk calculators for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus( HBV)- related hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC) is a major public health problem in Southeast Asia. In recent years,researchers from Hong Kong and Taiwan have reported predictive models or risk calculators for HBV- associated HCC by studying its natural history,which,to some extent,predicts the possibility of HCC development. Generally,risk factors of each model involve age,sex,HBV DNA level,and liver cirrhosis. This article discusses the evolution and clinical significance of currently used predictive models for HBV- associated HCC and assesses the advantages and limits of risk calculators. Updated REACH- B model and LSM- HCC model show better negative predictive values and have better performance in predicting the outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B( CHB). These models can be applied to stratified screening of HCC and,meanwhile,become an assessment tool for the management of CHB patients.