Overview
The goal of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the progression of esophagogastric varices in patients treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab. Assess the efficacy of primary prophylaxis of small esophageal varices with no risky signs and shortening endoscopic follow-up time intervals to reduce the risk of variceal hemorrhage.
Researchers will assess the progression of esophageal varices (EVs) with no bleeding stigmata in patients treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months with endoscopic examination. Evaluate the effect of shortening the endoscopic follow-up intervals to reduce the risk of variceal bleeding in patients treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy. Researchers will also assess the efficacy of variceal band ligation in small varices without bleeding stigmata before starting atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy to reduce the progression of EVs.
Participants will undergo history-taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, Triphasic CT abdomen with contrast or MRI (for evaluation of tumor site, size and number), abdominal ultrasonography, and upper endoscopy (within 6 months before beginning of systemic therapy and followed up after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with confirmed advanced HCC (Diagnosed by two imaging modalities or liver biopsy) eligible for atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy.
- Patients with preserved liver function (compensated Child-Pugh A if there is underlying cirrhosis).
- Patients with performance status ≤2 at staging work-up.
- Patients with no or grade 1 non-risky esophageal varices on pretreatment endoscopic examination.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Child-Pugh class C patients.
- Patients with performance status >2 at staging work-up.
- Vascular disorders and arterial hypertension.
- Severe autoimmune disorders.
- Patients who lost follow-up.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Unwilling to participate in our study.