Clinical practice guideline for the management of patients with heaptocellular carcinoma in the Peruvian Social Security (EsSalud)

INTRODUCTION: This article summarizes the clinical practice guide (CPG) for management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the Social Security of Peru (EsSalud). OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for management of patients with HCC in EsSalud. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A guideline development group (GDG) was formed, which included specialist physicians and methodologists, who formulated clinical questions. Systematic searches of systematic reviews were conducted and - when deemed relevant - primary studies in PubMed during 2024. Evidence was selected to answer each of the proposed clinical questions. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic working meetings, the GDG used the GRADE methodology to review the evidence and formulate recommendations, points of good clinical practice, and flowcharts. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution No. 53-IETSI-ESSALUD-2024. RESULTS: The CPG addressed 8 clinical questions regarding management of patients with HCC. Based on these questions, 9 recommendations were formulated (8 conditional, 1 based on a Preliminary Health Technology Assessment Opinion), 12 points of good clinical practice, and 1 flow chart. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based recommendations were statement for the management of patients with HCC.