Challenges of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 1 Variables included in the most widely used hepatocellular carcinoma staging systems

Staging system	Ascites	Tumor burden	Albumin	Bilirubin	INR	HE	AFP	PVT	EHS	PS	ALP
Okuda	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
CLIP	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
BCLC	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
GRETCH	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
TNM 7th edition	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No

AFP: Alpha fetoprotein; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; EHS: Extrahepatic spread; HE: Hepatic encephalopathy; INR: International normalized ratio; PS: Performance status; PVT: Portal vein thrombosis.