Hepatocellular and biliary tract carcinomas: SEOM clinical guidelines

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical oncology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an incidence of 8/100,000 inhabitants annually in the EU, while bile tract carcinoma (BTC) is less common at 4/100,000.
• Accurate staging, hepatic functional reserve assessment, and performance status evaluation are crucial for treatment planning in both HCC and BTC.
• Patient consultation is an essential component of the treatment planning process.

Framework:

• Surgery offers the only curative treatment option for both HCC and BTC.
• Interventional radiological techniques play a vital role in achieving local disease control and symptom alleviation.
• Systemic therapies, such as sorafenib for HCC and chemotherapy for BTC, can prolong survival in patients with disseminated disease.

Implementation:

• Treatment strategies must be individualized based on accurate staging and patient-specific factors.
• A multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists is necessary for optimal patient management.
• The integration of surgical, radiological, and systemic treatment modalities should be considered.

Implications:

• Effective management of HCC and BTC relies on a comprehensive and coordinated therapeutic strategy.
• Multidisciplinary tumor board discussions ensure that all relevant aspects of patient care are addressed.
• Optimizing treatment outcomes for hepatobiliary cancers necessitates a collaborative and evidence-based approach.