Hepatocellular carcinoma: Surgeon's view on latest findings and future perspectives

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver-derived malignancy with a high fatality rate. Risk factors for the development of HCC have been identified and are clearly described. However, due to the lack of tumor-specific symptoms, HCC are diagnosed at progressed tumor stages in most patients, and thus curative therapeutic options are limited. The focus of this review is on surgical therapeutic options which can be offered to patients with HCC with special regard to recent findings, not exclusively focused on surgical therapy, but also to other treatment modalities. Further, potential promising future perspectives for the treatment of HCC are discussed.

Keywords: Extended indications; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Interventional therapy; Multimodal treatment; Surgical therapy.

Figure 1

Flow chart displaying the recommended treatment according to the barcelona clinic liver cancer tumor stage (adapted from European Association for the Study of the Liver-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines). CP: Child-Pugh; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; PST: Performance status; Cis: Carcinoma in situ; LTx: Liver transplantation; RFA: Radiofrequency ablation; PEI: Percutaneous ethanol injection; TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization.