Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence: Predictors and management

Walaa Abdelhamed; Mohamed El-Kassas

doi:10.1016/j.livres.2023.11.004

Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence: Predictors and management

Liver Res. 2023 Nov 19;7(4):321-332. doi: 10.1016/j.livres.2023.11.004. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Walaa Abdelhamed¹, Mohamed El-Kassas²

Affiliations

¹ Endemic Medicine Department, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.
² Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the sixth most common cancer globally, is associated with high mortality rates and more than 830,000 annual deaths. Despite advances in the available management options including surgical resection and local ablative therapies, recurrence rates after the initial treatment exceed 50%, even among patients who have undergone curative-intent therapy. Moreover, postsurgical HCC recurrence occurs in about 70% of cases five years postoperatively. The management of recurrent HCC remains undefined. This review discusses different predictors for HCC recurrence after each treatment modality and different approaches available to stratify these patients. More specific guidelines for managing HCC recurrence and strict surveillance protocols for such recurrence after initial HCC management are needed.

Keywords: Ablation; Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Liver resection; Liver transplantation; Recurrence.

Publication types

Review