The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and stage at presentation in the West of Scotland

Molloy, Cal Swann Rachael Priest Matthew

P059 Table 1 2019 2020 P VALUE Number of referrals 62 37 Mean age 69 69 Sex (M:F) 53 (85.5%) : 9(14.5%) 30 (81.1%) : 7(18.9%) Mean size largest lesion (cm) 5.8 6.1 0.39 Mean number of lesions 1.96 1.53 0.48 Mean time to MDT discussion (days) 20.8 11.2 0.08 Mean time to first treatment (days) 93.2 53.8 0.03 ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic there was a 40% reduction in HCC diagnoses referred to the WOS MDT, compared with 2019. However there is no evidence that patients have presented with more advanced disease. Additionally, we have demonstrated a reduction in the referral to treatment time where active treatment was indicated. Given that the incidence of chronic liver disease has continued to rise in our population, we would expect an increased number of patients to present with more advance stage HCC over the coming months.