Expert consensus on the role of hematological markers in the early clinical screening of hepatocellular carcinoma

The disease burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China is heavy, and the prognosis is still unfavourable. Therefore, early screening of high-risk groups of HCC through simple methods is the key to achieving early diagnosis and treatment and improving survival. At present, alpha-fetoprotein and other hematological tests are still the main methods in the early screening of HCC, but the sensitivity and specificity are limited, and the risk of missed diagnosis is high. In recent years, with the continuous development of science and technology, the improvement of traditional detection methods and the emergence of novel markers such as methylated deoxyribonucleic acid and microRNA have brought hope for further improving the sensitivity and specificity of early HCC screening. This consensus summarizes the research progress of traditional and new hematological test methods and puts forward expert guidance on the role of hematological markers in the early screening of HCC to provide a basis for improving the prevention and control level in China.