Prediction of Incidence of Liver Cancer by Use of Real-time Tissue Elastography (PICTURE)

• Cumulative incidence of carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma [ Time Frame: every four or six months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Cumulative incidence of carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma defined as the time from registration to diagnosis of hepatoceluler carcinomais
  
  

• Cancer-free survival [ Time Frame: every four or six months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Cancer-free survival is defined as the time from registration to death due to cencer or any cause
  
  
• Overall survival [ Time Frame: one year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Overall survival is defined as the time from registration to death due to any cause
  
  
• The cumulative incidence and severity of gastro-esophageal varices [ Time Frame: one year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  It is estimated by gastrointestinal scope for every year
  
  
• The cumulative incidence and severity of decompensated cirrhosis [ Time Frame: one year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Jaundice, ascites, edema and hepatic encephalopathy etc. is evaluated as decompensated cirrhosis.
  
  

The aim of this study is to validate the predictive value of Real-time Tissue Elastography® by comparison with serum marker or FibroScan® in chronic hepatitis B or C patients.

Every year and for three years, we performed Real-time Tissue Elastography®, blood sampling, gastrointestinal endoscopy. If in the hospital they can perform FibroScan®, FobroScan® also be performed.

Subjects were also performed ultrasonography (US), computed sonography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evry four or six months.

The time between the Real-time Tissue Elastography®, blood sampling, gastrointestinal endoscopy and FiroScan® must not exceed four weeks.