Hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive review

World J Hepatol. 2015 Nov 18;7(26):2648-63. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i26.2648.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly becoming one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. With a rising rate, it is a prominent source of mortality. Patients with advanced fibrosis, predominantly cirrhosis and hepatitis B are predisposed to developing HCC. Individuals with chronic hepatitis B and C infections are most commonly afflicted. Different therapeutic options, including liver resection, transplantation, systemic and local therapy, must be tailored to each patient. Liver transplantation offers leading results to achieve a cure. The Milan criteria is acknowledged as the model to classify the individuals that meet requirements to undergo transplantation. Mean survival remains suboptimal because of long waiting times and limited donor organ resources. Recent debates involve expansion of these criteria to create options for patients with HCC to increase overall survival.

Keywords: Expansion Milan Criteria; Hepatectomy; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver transplantation; Living donor liver transplantation; Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors; Milan Criteria; Salvage liver transplantation; Sorafenib; Transarterial chemoembolization; University of California San Francisco Criteria.

Publication types

  • Review