Treatment of intermediate-to-advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is shifting toward a multidisciplinary strategy that includes multiple modalities as needed

Figure 1 Multidisciplinary strategy for intermediate-to-advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, it is possible to select individual or combinations of four representative treatment modalities-i.e., transarterial chemoembolization, molecularly targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy-to treat intermediate-to-advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the combinations may be limited in some regions. The optimal choice of the type of combination, the order of therapies used, and the timing of intervention can be expected to reduce the size of the tumor, make the tumor resectable, or even eliminate the tumor. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization; MTT: Molecularly targeted therapy; IMT: Immunotherapy; RT: Radiotherapy.