Published online Jan 28, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i4.393
Peer-review started: November 5, 2019
First decision: December 23, 2019
Revised: January 6, 2020
Accepted: January 11, 2020
Article in press: January 11, 2020
Published online: January 28, 2020
Processing time: 74 Days and 1.6 Hours
The etiology and disease patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) significantly vary among regions. Modern standard treatments commonly require multidisciplinary approaches, including applications of up-to date medicine and advanced procedures, and necessitate the support of socioeconomic systems. For these reasons, a number of clinical guidelines for HCC from different associations and regions have been presented. External beam radiation therapy was contraindicated for HCC until a few decades ago, but with the development of new technologies, its application has rapidly increased as selective irradiation for tumorous lesions became possible. Most of the guidelines had been opposed or indifferent to radiotherapy in the past, but several guidelines have introduced indications and recommendations for radiotherapy in their updated versions. This review will discuss the characteristics of important guidelines and their contents regarding radiotherapy and will also provide guidance to physicians who are considering applications of locoregional modalities that include radiotherapy.
Core tip: Hepatocellular carcinoma vary in incidence and disease characteristics by region. This review systematically organizes a number of hepatocellular carcionma treatment guidelines from a radiation oncological perspective, providing helpful information for physicians considering local treatment, including radiotherapy.