* [[Liver transplantation]] to replace the liver with a cadaver liver or a live donor lobe. Historically low survival rates (20%-36%) recent improvement (61.1%; 1996-2001), likely related to adoption of Milan criteria at US transplantation centers. If the tumor disease has metastasized, the immuno-suppressant post-transplant drugs decrease the chance of survival. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/livertransplantation.html NIH]
* [[Surgical resection]] to remove a tumor to treat small or slow-growing tumors if they are diagnosed early. This treatment offers the best prognosis for long-term survival but unfortunately is possible in only 10-15% of cases. Resection in cirrhotic patients carries high morbidity and mortality. [http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_resection/article.htm Medicinenet]
* Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) well tolerated, high RR in small (< 3 cm) solitary tumors; as of 2005, no randomized trial comparing resection to percutaneous treatments; recurrence rates similar to those for postresection.
* [[Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization]] (TACE) is usually performed in the treatment of large tumors (larger than 3 cm and less than 4 cm in diameter), most frequently by intraarterially injecting an infusion of antineoplastic agents mixed with iodized oil (such as Lipiodol). As of 2005, multiple trials show objective tumor responses and slowed tumor progression but questionable survival benefit compared to supportive care; greatest benefit seen in patients with preserved liver function, absence of vascular invasion, and smallest tumors.
*[[Sealed source radiotherapy]] can be used to destroy the tumor from within (thus minimizing exposure to healthy tissue). [[TheraSphere]] is an FDA approved treatment which has been shown in clinical trials to increase survival rate of low-risk patients. This method uses a catheter (inserted by a [[radiologist]]) to deposit radioactive particles to the area of interest.
* [[Radiofrequency ablation]] (RFA) uses high frequency radio-waves to ablate the tumour.
* Intra-arterial iodine-131–lipiodol administration Efficacy demonstrated in unresectable patients, those with portal vein [[thrombus]]. This treatment is also used as adjuvant therapy in resected patients (Lau at et, 1999). It is believed to raise the 3-year survival rate from 46 to 86%. This adjuvant therapy is in phase III clinical trials in Singapore and is available as a standard medical treatment to qualified patients in Hong Kong.
* Combined PEI and [[TACE]] can be used for tumors larger than 4 cm in diameter, although some Italian groups have had success with larger tumours using TACE alone.
* [[High intensity focused ultrasound]] (HIFU) (not to be confused with normal [[diagnostic ultrasound]]) is a new technique which uses much more powerful ultrasound to treat the tumour. Still at a very experimental stage. Most of the work has been done in China. Some early work is being done in Oxford and London in the UK.
* [[Hormonal therapy]] Antiestrogen therapy with tamoxifen studied in several trials, mixed results across studies, but generally considered ineffective Octreotide (somatostatin analogue) showed 13-month MS v 4-month MS in untreated patients in a small randomized study; results not reproduced.
* [[Chemotherapy adjuvant]]: No randomized trials showing benefit of neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic therapy in HCC; single trial showed decrease in new tumors in patients receiving oral synthetic retinoid for 12 months after [[resection]]/[[ablation]]; results not reproduced. Clinical trials have varying results.<ref>[http://www.asco.org/ac/1,1003,_12-002626-00_18-0034-00_19-0027,00.asp] American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2005 Annual Meeting, Abstracts on Hepatobiliary Cancer</ref>
* [[Palliative]]: Regimens that included [[doxorubicin]], [[cisplatin]], [[fluorouracil]], [[interferon]], [[epirubicin]], or [[taxol]], as single agents or in combination, have not shown any survival benefit (RR, 0%-25%); a few isolated major responses allowed patients to undergo partial hepatectomy; no published results from any randomized trial of systemic chemotherapy.
* [[Cryosurgery]]: Cryosurgery is a new technique that can destroy tumors in a variety of sites (brain, breast, kidney, prostate, liver). Cryosurgery is the destruction of abnormal tissue using sub-zero temperatures. The tumor is not removed and the destroyed cancer is left to be reabsorbed by the body. Initial results in properly selected patients with unresectable liver tumors are equivalent to those of resection. Cryosurgery involves the placement of a stainless steel probe into the center of the tumor. Liquid nitrogen is circulated through the end of this device. The tumor and a half inch margin of normal liver are frozen to -190°C for 15 minutes, which is lethal to all tissues. The area is thawed for 10 minutes and then re-frozen to -190°C for another 15 minutes. After the tumor has thawed, the probe is removed, bleeding is controlled, and the procedure is complete. The patient will spend the first post-operative night in the intensive care unit and typically is discharged in 3 - 5 days. Proper selection of patients and attention to detail in performing the cryosurgical procedure are mandatory in order to achieve good results and outcomes. Frequently, cryosurgery is used in conjunction with liver resection as some of the tumors are removed while others are treated with cryosurgery. Patients may also have insertion of a hepatic intra-arterial artery catheter for post-operative chemotherapy. As with liver resection, your surgeon should have experience with cryosurgical techniques in order to provide the best treatment possible.
Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic:
There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [3] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
The Jade Ribbon Campaign is used for awareness of liver cancer in the Pacific Islands and will be introduced into America someday.
Jade is the official color of liver cancer.
Future directions
Current research includes the search for the genes that are disregulated in HCC,[1]protein markers[2], and other predictive biomarkers.[3][4] As similar research is yielding results in various other malignant diseases, it is hoped that identifying the aberrant genes and the resultant proteins could lead to the identification of pharmacological interventions for HCC.[5]
↑[1]Journal of Clinical Oncology, Special Issue on Molecular Oncology: Receptor-Based Therapy, April 2005
↑Lau W, Leung T, Ho S, Chan M, Machin D, Lau J, Chan A, Yeo W, Mok T, Yu S, Leung N, Johnson P (1999). "Adjuvant intra-arterial iodine-131-labelled lipiodol for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective randomised trial". Lancet. 353 (9155): 797–801. PMID10459961.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)