Introduction
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health burden and an established risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood generally indicates chronic infection, with many patients at risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer over time.
HBsAg seroclearance, the loss of detectable HBsAg from the bloodstream, is considered a functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) because it marks a significant reduction in viral replication and liver inflammation. However, whether viral clearance fully eliminates the risk of developing HCC, especially in the long term, remains an important clinical question. Understanding this risk is key to deciding surveillance strategies for HCC in patients post-HBsAg clearance.
