Indications and limitations of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, yet remains difficult to treat, with dismal overall long-term survival rates. Recent strategies using liver transplantation for carefully selected patients with stage I and II HCC and cirrhosis have shown promising results, with 5-year survival rates comparable to survival rates for transplantation patients without malignancy. Currently, however, limited resources and a severe organ shortage make liver transplantation an option for only a limited number of patients with HCC in the United States. Future studies must document the long-term success of this therapy and improve methods for disease control before and after transplantation.
Wudel
L James
LJ
Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Chapman
William C
WC
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome