Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Screening to Treatment, a Never-Ending Story
A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Causes, Screening and Diagnosis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 13 March 2025 | Viewed by 30
Special Issue Editor
Interests: liver cancer; biliary; pancreas; surgery; minimally; invasive; hepatectomy; oncology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, with a global incidence exceeding 84,000 cases annually. It ranks as the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Given its high incidence and significant mortality rate, timely screening and treatment are crucial.
Screening for HCC is recommended for high-risk patients, such as those with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B and C. This practice has been associated with improved early detection, increased receipt of curative treatments, and better survival rates. Recent studies on the cost-effectiveness of screening indicate that using ultrasound combined with α-fetoprotein levels is a cost-effective approach for populations with an HCC incidence greater than 0.4%. Patients with cirrhosis, including those with hepatitis C cirrhosis who have achieved a sustained virologic response, and patients with chronic hepatitis B meeting specific guideline criteria, fall within this threshold. Emerging biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques are enhancing the screening process for HCC.
Current guidelines from the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the Hong Kong Consensus Statement on the management of HCC recommend surgical resection, local ablation, and liver transplantation as curative treatment options for early-stage HCC. For those with intermediate and advanced-stage disease (BCLC B and C), liver-directed therapies or systemic treatments are advised. Patients with terminal disease (BCLC D) are typically offered supportive care. Treatment options for HCC have evolved significantly over the years, particularly with the advent of immunotherapy as a systemic treatment. This Special Issue highlights recent advancements in the screening and various treatment options for HCC.
Prof. Dr. Kelvin K. NG
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- screening
- hepatectomy
- local ablation therapy
- liver transplantation
- systemic therapy
- immunotherapy
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