Editorial
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 14, 2009; 15(26): 3210-3216
Published online Jul 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3210
Current management strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma
Bernardino Rampone, Beniamino Schiavone, Antonio Martino, Carmine Viviano, Giuseppe Confuorto
Bernardino Rampone, Beniamino Schiavone, Antonio Martino, Carmine Viviano, Giuseppe Confuorto, Department of Surgery, Pineta Grande Hospital, Castel Volturno, Caserta 81100, Italy
Author contributions: Rampone B wrote and edited the paper; the others authors participated in the preparation of the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Bernardino Rampone, Department of Surgery, Pineta Grande Hospital, Castel Volturno, Caserta 81100, Italy. ramponebernardino@virgilio.it
Telephone: +39-823-854266
Fax: +39-823-854266
Received: April 24, 2009
Revised: June 9, 2009
Accepted: June 16, 2009
Published online: July 14, 2009
Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains a considerable challenge for surgeons. Surgery, including liver transplantation, is the most important therapeutic approach for patients with this disease. HCC is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages and has a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate even when surgical resection has been considered potentially curative. This brief report summarizes the current status of the management of this malignancy and includes a short description of new pharmacological approaches in HCC treatment.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Locoregional procedures; Liver transplantation; Surgical resection; Systemic treatment