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Clinical calculator summary

Hong Kong Liver Cancer (HKLC) Staging System

The HKLC staging system classifies hepatocellular carcinoma patients into 5 main prognostic groups and provides treatment recommendations, developed from a Hong Kong cohort of 3,856 HCC patients.

Evidence-based context for fast calculator use

Purpose:
Stage HCC patients and guide treatment selection beyond BCLC criteria
Population:
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) including those with hepatitis B
Factors:
ECOG Performance Status, Child-Pugh grade, Tumour extent (intrahepatic), Extrahepatic vascular invasion/metastasis
Reference:
Yau et al., Gastroenterology 2014
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HKLC Staging System

Clinical Context & Background

The HKLC (Hong Kong Liver Cancer) staging system identifies patients with intermediate and locally advanced HCC who may benefit from more aggressive treatments (Resection or TACE) compared to BCLC recommendations. It classifies patients into 5 main stages (I to IV).
Primary Source EvidenceYau T, Tang VY, Yao TJ, Fan ST, Lo CM, Poon RT. Development of Hong Kong Liver Cancer staging system with treatment stratification for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastroenterology. 2014;146(7):1691-1700.
Formula Logic
Algorithmic classification based on PS, Child-Pugh, Tumor Size/Number, Vascular Invasion, and Metastasis.

Reference Data

StageDescriptionRecommended Treatment
Stage IEarly (Solitary ≤5cm or 2-3 ≤3cm)Resection / Ablation
Stage IIaIntermediate (Solitary >5cm)Resection
Stage IIbIntermediate (Multinodular)TACE
Stage IIIaLocally Advanced (PS 1 or CP B)TACE
Stage IIIbLocally Advanced (Vascular Inv)TACE (or Resection)
Stage IVaMetastaticSystemic Therapy
Stage IVbTerminal (PS >1 or CP C)Supportive Care

Clinical Workflow

Use, Interpret, And Continue The Patient Pathway

Expand for workflow guidance, limitations, examples, and related next steps.

When To Use

  • Use HKLC Staging System when hKLC staging classifies hepatocellular carcinoma patients into treatment groups to guide resection, TACE, or systemic therapy selection.
  • Confirm that the patient, diagnosis, disease phase, and available inputs match the cited model before calculation.

How To Interpret

  • Interpret the displayed result using the calculator-specific formula and reference table, spanning Stage I through Stage IVb.
  • A boundary result should prompt input verification and clinical review rather than false precision.

What To Do Next

  • Integrate liver reserve, portal hypertension, tumor burden, vascular invasion, extrahepatic disease, performance status, and transplant policy.
  • Document the inputs, result, timing, and clinical context so the assessment can be reproduced.

Limitations

  • Liver function, HCC stage, imaging category, and transplant criteria are complementary but not interchangeable.
  • The result supports clinician judgment and does not independently determine treatment.

Validated Population

patients undergoing liver-function, hepatocellular carcinoma staging, imaging, or transplant assessment

How to apply this result

For a representative case, verify ECOG Performance Status, Child-Pugh Class, Extrahepatic Metastasis, calculate the result, and confirm that its classification matches the highlighted reference band before continuing the disease-specific pathway.

Liver / HCC hubContinue to related calculators and clinical workflow resources.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should HKLC Staging System be used?

Use it for patients undergoing liver-function, hepatocellular carcinoma staging, imaging, or transplant assessment when all required inputs and the intended clinical setting are confirmed.

Can HKLC Staging System determine treatment by itself?

No. Interpret the result with the cited evidence, complete clinical assessment, current guidelines, and patient-specific goals.

Evidence-based oncology decision support. Verify with clinical guidelines.