Effective July 13, 2023, updated policy references are in place relating to evaluation and imaging requirements for liver transplant candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The updates result from ongoing review of guidance and policy for diagnoses commonly resulting in exception requests through the National Liver Review Board (NLRB).
The updated policy aligns references to Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) terminology and classifications. Doing so will ensure a more consistent lexicon regarding HCC imaging. Other related changes to the guidance document for adult HCC exceptions were already implemented in April 2023.
Liver transplant clinicians should familiarize themselves with the updated terminology. The revised policy does not change which candidates are eligible for an HCC exception.