Hepatocellular carcinoma clinical update: Current standards and therapeutic strategies

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the vast majority of primary hepatic malignancies. The overall incidence of this disease has always been significant, but in recent years it has continued to rise, now making HCC one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Fortunately, research into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and treatment options for this disease has also been progressing rapidly. Although the future for new insights and therapies appears more promising than ever, it also remains important to understand both the nature of HCC and the current state-of-the-art for treating affected patients. Although surgery is often considered to be a first choice, many patients present with extensive disease and are therefore not operative candidates. Fortunately, significant clinical advances over the last decade have contributed a number of new or improved treatment options. Many of these treatments require expertise from a variety of different clinical subspecialties. Indeed, managing patients with HCC has rapidly become a multi-modality, multi-disciplinary endeavor in which the details of each individual's circumstance can greatly impact outcomes, and strategies can be quite nuanced. The purpose of this review is to provide a perspective on the disease itself, the patients who become afflicted, the spectrum of currently available treatment options, and the strategies for their optimal implementation. Such knowledge can be critically important as new data become available on the research front.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)180-190
Number of pages11
JournalLiver Research
Volume4
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ablation
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
  • High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
  • Irreversible electroporation (IRE)
  • Liver surgery
  • Liver transplantation
  • Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
  • Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hepatocellular carcinoma clinical update: Current standards and therapeutic strategies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this