Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cancer worldwide. Over last two decades there is increased incidence rate and shift toward younger population. HCC is associated with conditions resulting in chronic liver injury. Malignant tumours of liver are primarily adenocarcinomas. Majority of the patients present with advanced disease. Imaging is required to assess operability. Standard treatment for operable tumour is partial hepatectomy or total hepatectomy with liver transplantation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; chemo-embolization or immunoembolization may make resection safer. Adjuvant chemotherapy or chemo-em bolization has shown no benefit in terms of survival. Surveillance of high-risk population is a must for detection at early stages where curative therapy can be given. Patients with HCC who cannot undergo curative procedures are best treated in the setting of a clinical trial.
