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Clinical trial Recruiting at 6 sites Interventional Ages 40 to 79

Biannual liver cancer screening with ultrasound and AFP for compensated non‑viral cirrhosis in Central Denmark

Official title: Introducing HCC Surveillance in the Central Denmark Region

Run by University of Aarhus · NCT07469319 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program will try giving people aged 40–79 with compensated non‑viral cirrhosis ultrasound scans plus AFP blood tests every six months to see if screening lowers deaths from liver cancer.

More Cirrhosis trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages40 Years to 79 Years
SexAll
Enrollment617 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Aarhus
Academic / other
Locations6 sites (Aarhus, Central Jutland and 5 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 1, 2026
Main results expectedJune 30, 2028
Study endsJune 30, 2028
Registry record updatedMarch 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT07469319 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 40–79 with compensated non‑viral cirrhosis (no recent variceal bleeding, uncontrolled ascites, or overt hepatic encephalopathy, Child‑Pugh ≤ 8), expected life expectancy ≥1 year, not currently in HCC follow‑up, and residing in Central Denmark are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or C, limited life expectancy, existing HCC or current HCC follow‑up, or those living outside the Central Denmark Region are unlikely to benefit from this program.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

About 600 patients in the Central Denmark Region with compensated non‑viral cirrhosis will be offered HCC surveillance consisting of abdominal ultrasound and an alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP) blood test at 0, 6, and 12 months. Anyone with a positive screen on ultrasound or AFP will be referred for standard diagnostic work‑up, typically beginning with CT. There is no individual randomization; instead HCC‑related mortality in the screened region will be compared with the other four Danish regions using national registry data. The program aims to determine whether organized biannual surveillance leads to earlier detection and fewer deaths from HCC in this patient group.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, earlier detection could increase the number of patients eligible for curative treatment and reduce deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma.

How similar studies have gone: Ultrasound with or without AFP has been shown to detect HCC earlier in viral cirrhosis and is guideline‑recommended, but randomized evidence that surveillance reduces mortality in non‑viral cirrhosis is limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Cirrhosis
* No history of chronic hepatitis B or C
* Compensated cirrhosis defined as:

  * No recent variceal bleeding, no uncontrolled ascites, no clinically apparent hepatic encephalopathy, and Child-Pugh score ≤ 8
* Age 40-79 years
* Expected remaining life expectancy ≥ 1 year
* Not already in follow-up after treatment for HCC
* No clinical suspicion of HCC

Exclusion Criteria:

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Where it's running

  • Aarhus University Hospital
    Aarhus, Central Jutland, Denmark     Recruiting
  • Regional Hospital Gødstrup
    Herning, Central Jutland, Denmark     Recruiting
  • Horsens Regional Hospital
    Horsens, Central Jutland, Denmark     Recruiting
  • Randers Regional Hospital
    Randers, Central Jutland, Denmark     Recruiting
  • Silkeborg Regional Hospital
    Silkeborg, Central Jutland, Denmark     Recruiting
  • Viborg Regional Hospital
    Viborg, Central Jutland, Denmark     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) 119Cirrhosis 170University of Aarhus 153
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.