title: Role of the multidisciplinary team in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: It has long been appreciated that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex disease. HCC is typically preceded by liver cirrhosis, which is itself caused by various types of hepatitis of both viral and nonviral etiologies. Thus, the treatment of patients with HCC requires multiple healthcare professionals, including hepatologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, transplantation surgeons, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and interventional radiologists. These specialists should meet regularly to review patients' progress, ensure that treatments are individualized for each patient and agree on next steps. We review case presentations provided by the authors to illustrate the benefits and advantages of the multidisciplinary team matrix in the management of patients with HCC, including the effects of this treatment technique on patient outcome, survival and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Center for Hepatobiliary Disease, University of California, San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103-8413, USA. rgish@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Gish
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lencioni
authors.forename: Adrian M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Di Bisceglie
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Raoul
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mazzaferro
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome