title: Combating hepatocellular carcinoma with an integrated approach.
abstract: This short review summarizes an integrated approach to new methods of managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed at our centre. HCC-specific isoforms of alpha-fetoprotein were detected by isoelectric focusing and their value in the differential diagnosis of early HCC on a background of chronic liver disease has been shown. Selective internal radiation therapy using yttrium-90 (90 Y) microspheres has been shown to be an effective treatment for inoperable HCC in a phase I and II study. A partition model for estimating the radiation doses from the 90 Y microspheres to the tumour and the non-tumorous liver during the therapy was then formulated, verified by correlating with intraoperative dosimetry, and evaluated in clinical settings. This permits 90 Y microspheres to be administered safely without the need of an open surgery and a randomized therapeutic controlled trial is in progress. Another randomized controlled trial using iodine-131 Lipiodol as a post-operative adjuvant therapy, aiming at reducing the recurrence rate is also on-going. HCC may be more effectively combated with a better understanding of its pathogenesis from chronic liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Joint Hepatoma Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008863:Microspheres; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins