[Hepatocellular Carcinoma: therapeutic options 2015]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is increasing globally.
• Prognosis for HCC remains poor, necessitating effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current therapeutic modalities for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
• To outline treatment selection based on disease stage and patient factors.

Main Methods:

• Review of established treatment guidelines and emerging therapies for HCC.
• Classification of HCC based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system.

Main Results:

• Curative therapies (resection, RFA, transplantation) are available for early-stage HCC.
• Intermediate-stage HCC can be managed with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
• Sorafenib is the current standard for advanced HCC; immunotherapy is under investigation.

Conclusions:

• Treatment decisions for HCC require comprehensive assessment of tumor characteristics, liver function, and comorbidities.
• A multimodal approach tailored to HCC stage is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.