Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Causes

Hepatocellular carcinoma usually occurs in patients with cirrhosis and is common in areas where infection with hepatitis B and C viruses is prevalent.

Symptoms and Signs

Most commonly, previously stable patients with cirrhosis present with:

• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• right upper quadrant mass
• unexplained deterioration.
• Fever may occur

Diagnosis

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement
• Imaging (CT, ultrasonography, or MRI)

Prognosis

Overall prognosis for survival is poor, with a 5-year relative survival rate of 18.4%

Treatment

The treatment depends on the size and the location of the tumor as well as the TNM staging

• Surgical removal
• Ablative – Radiation treatments
• Chemotherapy – Immunotherapy
• Liver Transplantation