Hepatocellular cancer (suspected or known) or liver lesion

​​​​When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Hepatocellular cancer surveillance (when indicated can be conducted in a primary care or specialist setting based on local practice): see Cancer Council guidelines for more information.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

Information to include within a referral

Required

• Reason for referral.
• Details of the presenting condition.
• Provisional diagnosis.
• Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
• coagulation profile test result
• full blood count
• tumour markers (alpha feto-protein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (Ca 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA))
• renal function test result
• liver function test result
• liver imaging result (current and any previous).

If available

• History of underlying liver disease and/or cirrhosis.
• Hepatitis B serology (HBV sAg, sAb, cAb).
• Hepatitis C serology (HCV Ab).
• If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• If the patient is considered ‘at risk’ or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.
• If the patient is willing to have surgery (where clinically relevant).
• If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
• If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.
• If the patient requires an interpreter (if so, list preferred language).

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.

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