[Hepatocellular carcinoma. Part 2. Treatment]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Oncology
• Cancer Therapeutics
• Surgical Oncology

Context:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management presents challenges due to advanced disease at diagnosis.
• Surgical resection is often not feasible for many HCC patients.
• Existing treatments have limitations for extensive or multifocal tumors with cirrhosis.

Purpose:

• To review recent advancements in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
• To evaluate the role of surgery and alternative therapies for HCC.
• To explore novel therapeutic strategies including drug combinations and interventional procedures.

Summary:

• Surgical intervention for HCC is limited by tumor burden and liver function.
• Alternative treatments include transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, percutaneous injections, and chemotherapy.
• Emerging therapies like retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents, octreotide, and interstitial laser coagulation show promise.
• Angiogenesis regulation is a potential new liver function impacting HCC growth.
• Early detection and treatments like Recombinant-Interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C can prevent HCC.
• Liver transplantation offers improved long-term survival for select HCC patients.

Impact:

• Novel therapeutic approaches may improve survival rates for inoperable HCC.
• Understanding angiogenesis regulation could lead to new cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
• Early HCC recognition and effective management of chronic hepatitis C are crucial for better patient outcomes.
• Liver transplantation is an increasingly viable option for advanced HCC, offering better long-term survival.