Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a prevalent global malignancy characterized by inconspicuous early clinical manifestations； the majority of patients have already progressed to an advanced stage by the time symptoms and signs become apparent， thereby missing the opportunity for surgical intervention. Despite surgical interventions， early recurrence and unfavorable prognoses are common， while subsequent treatment options remain limited， contributing to an elevated HCC-associated mortality rate. The increasing awareness and emphasis on HCC prevention and treatment have stimulated the development of numerous predictive models in recent years. This review aims to discuss the current state of research on HCC predictive models， comparing the strengths and limitations of widely recognized models， and evaluating their applicability in clinical settings with an ultimate goal of promoting their integration into clinical practice for improved outcomes in managing HCC.

Key words: hepatocellular carcinoma, early diagnosis, predictive models, prognosis