Gut and Liver  2015;9(4):437-448

doi:10.5009/gnl15022

Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Directions.

Jennifer S AU 1 ; Catherine T FRENETTE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Transarterial chemoembolization; Radiofrequency ablation; Staging systems; Sorafenib

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. This cancer commonly arises against a background of chronic liver disease. As a result, a patient with HCC requires multidisciplinary care. Treatment options vary widely based on tumor burden and metastases. The most widely utilized staging system is the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system, which recommends treatments based on tumor size and the underlying liver disease and functional status of the patient. Treatment options range from surgical resection or transplantation to locoregional therapies with modalities such as radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization to systemic chemotherapies. Future care involves the development of combination therapies that afford the best tumor response, further clarification of the patients best suited for therapies and the development of new oral chemotherapeutic agents.