Extract
We are thankful for the interest shown and the important input from M. Fromme and P. Strnad. That the individuals suffering from severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have an increased risk of developing liver diseases including hepatic cancer is previously known [1, 2]. Our main aim in our recently published article [3], in addition to investigating the risk for hepatic cancer, was to evaluate the risk for developing other types of cancers (non-hepatic cancers). We are grateful for the up-to-date summary on the knowledge of hepatocellular carcinoma provided by M. Fromme and P. Strnad. We strongly agree on the need for a regular surveillance in individuals with severe AATD regarding development of hepatocellular cancer. In Sweden, individuals with severe AATD are regularly (every 2 years) followed up with liver enzymes, but not with elastography or ultrasound of the liver [4].
Abstract
Since individuals with severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may have an increased risk of developing cancer, and not only hepatic cancer, it is important to identify early and regularly follow-up these individuals https://bit.ly/3LDr43S
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: A. Lindberg reports lecture honoraria from Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis; personal fees for advisory board participation from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim; outside the submitted work. All other authors have nothing to disclose.
- Received April 22, 2022.
- Accepted April 22, 2022.
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