Choi DT, et al. - Given that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening of cirrhotic patients is recommended by professional societies to increase early-stage tumor detection and survival, researchers examined the relationship between screening receipt and early tumor detection in this study. They also assessed associations between screening receipt and overall survival following adjustments to the effects of lead-time bias and length-time bias on survival rate estimators. After correction for lead time bias, receipt of consistent screening was related to detection of early-stage tumors and reduced risk of death. They also noted an association of inconsistent screening with a slightly smaller increase in early detection of HCC. Higher proportions of patients with consistent and inconsistent screening survived for 3 years vs patients without screening after correction for lead- and length-time biases. In an analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program-Medicare database, HCC screening in cirrhotic patients was found to be underused. This helps to detect liver tumors in later stages and in short survival times. The number of patients screened for HCC has, however, increased over time.