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.
Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
L James
LJ
Wudel
William C
WC
Chapman
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