Effective April 28, updated guidance is in place regarding the National Liver Review Board (NLRB) consideration of liver transplant candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The OPTN Executive Committee approved the new language to provide consistency in references to diagnostic criteria.
The updated guidance aligns references throughout the document to diagnostic criteria. It clarifies that either biopsy or Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System 5 (LI-RADS 5) can be used to diagnose either stage T1 or T2 HCC recurrence.
Liver transplant program staff should familiarize themselves with the change. Some transplant candidates may be newly eligible for an exception, or their qualifying criteria may change.
