Published online Aug 7, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i29.6565
Peer-review started: April 8, 2016
First decision: April 8, 2016
Revised: April 8, 2016
Accepted: June 28, 2016
Article in press: June 28, 2016
Published online: August 7, 2016
Processing time: 113 Days and 4.6 Hours
Core tip: Early prophylactic options are effective in reducing hepatitis B virus (HBV)-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence and improving survival. Therefore, it is important to identify HBV-infected patients who are at a higher risk of developing HCC and HBV-HCC patients who are more likely to relapse after surgery. Several prediction models of HCC occurrence have been constructed, with satisfactory predictive accuracy and discriminatory ability. However, there is a lack of consensus for their clinical implementation. Several staging systems have been proposed for HCC prognosis but none have been universally accepted. We discuss important features when translating risk prediction scores derived from academic studies to clinical practice.