[Hepatocellular carcinoma: npn-surgical treatment]

The therapeutic modalities in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depend on the number, size and location of the lesions as well as the stage of the underlying liver disease and the physical condition of the patients. In patients with small and solitary lesions resection, liver resection and in selected cases liver transplantation can be curative. In more advanced stages of the disease with larger or multiple lesions PEI and/or transarterial chemotherapy with or without embolisation (TACE or TAC) can slow the progression of the disease. In disseminated disease, a radio-therapeutic approach can be taken in selected cases. The therapeutic strategy in patients with HCCs has to be individualized, frequently using a combination of therapeutic modalities. Different from the earlier unfavourable prognosis, today for most HCC patients a therapeutic strategy can be offered that results in a prolongation of life and in some cases even cure.