Journal of Liver Cancer

Review Article

A concise review of updated global guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: 2017-2024: Hyunjae Shin, Su Jong Yu; J Liver Cancer. 2025;25(1):19-30. Published online February 10, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2025.02.03

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Many guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been published and are regularly updated worldwide. HCC management involves a broad range of treatment options and requires multidisciplinary care, resulting in significant heterogeneity in management practices across international communities. To support standardized care for HCC, we systematically appraised 13 globally recognized guidelines and expert consensus statements, including five from Asia, four from Europe, and four from the United States. These guidelines share similarities but reveal notable discrepancies in surveillance strategies, treatment allocation, and other recommendations. Geographic differences in tumor biology (e.g., prevalence of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and disparities in available medical resources (e.g., organ availability, healthcare infrastructure, and treatment accessibility) complicate the creation of universally applicable guidelines. Previously, significant gaps existed between Asian and Western guidelines, particularly regarding treatment strategies. However, these differences have diminished over the years. Presently, variations are often more attributable to publication dates than to regional differences. Nonetheless, Asia-Pacific experts continue to diverge from the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer system, particularly with respect to surgical resection and locoregional therapies, which are viewed as overly conservative in Western guidelines. Advancements in systemic therapies have prompted ongoing updates to these guidelines. Given that each set of guidelines reflects distinct regional characteristics, strengths, and limitations, fostering collaboration and mutual complementarity is essential for addressing discrepancies and advancing global HCC care.

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Citations to this article as recorded by

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Case Reports

Combined Transarterial Chemoembolization and External Beam Radiotherapy in a Patient with Recurrent Huge Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatic Resection: Jesang Yu, Jinhong Jung, Sang Min Yoon; J Liver Cancer. 2020;20(1):90-97. Published online March 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.20.1.90

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Abstract PDF: The optimal treatment strategy for unresectable huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is yet to be established. Non-surgical monotherapy demonstrated insufficient oncologic outcomes in previously reported studies. To improve the clinical outcomes of unresectable huge HCC, combined locoregional treatments can be considered in selected cases. Here, we report a case of 58-year-old male patient who was treated with combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and external beam radiotherapy for recurrent HCC after a previous hepatic resection. After combined TACE and radiotherapy for the intrahepatic lesion, two metastases were diagnosed in the pelvic bones and lung; each lesion was successfully treated with salvage radiotherapy. During the long-term follow-up period (around 8 years 7 months after combined TACE and radiotherapy for the recurrent huge HCC), no definite viable tumors were observed in any of the treated liver, bone, and lung lesions.

Spontaneous Regression of Recurred Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Lung Metastases: Beom Yong Yoon, Heon Young Lee, Se Woong Hwang, Se Young Park, Hye Jin Kim, Hye Won Jang,, Byung Seok Lee; J Liver Cancer. 2015;15(1):46-51. Published online March 31, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.15.1.46

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10 Downloads

Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver malignancy. Spontaneous regression of HCC is extremely rare phenomenon and mechanism of regression remains obscure. 75-year-old woman previously diagnosed with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis was found to have single mass in liver with elevation of α-fetoprotein level to 10,320 ng/mL. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed. 27 months after TACE recurred HCC with multiple lung nodules were confirmed. The patient refused any therapeutic modality. The patient underwent follow-up without any anti-cancer treatment. 8 months after recurrence follow up computed tomography scan revealed spontaneous regression of HCC and completely disappeared lung nodules. The patient is currently doing well and without any evidence of recurrence. The causes of spontaneous regression of HCC are not well understood. Proposed mechanisms are ischemic injury, biological factors, herbal medicine, immunological variations. Further studies are necessary to improve our understanding of this rare phenomenon.

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