[Hepatocellular carcinoma: novel molecular aspects for differential diagnosis and therapy]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide and shows increasing incidence. Multimodal strategies against HCC include primary (e.g. immunisation) and secondary (e. g. antiviral therapy) prevention, surgical approaches, novel specific systemic therapies (targeted therapy), and the treatment of comorbidity (cirrhosis). New molecular approaches are currently under development and tackle several specific targets. In this context pathology is needed in many aspects: experimental strategies, development of valid tumor-relevant diagnostic tests as well as morphological evaluation in the context of clinical studies and finally in routine diagnosis.