Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from the liver’s main cells. It often develops with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, so treatment must account for both the tumour and remaining liver function.
Key takeaways
- Imaging, tumour extent and liver reserve determine whether local treatment, surgery, transplant or systemic therapy is possible.
- Medicine for advanced HCC is not a substitute for a potentially curative option in selected early disease.
- Systemic treatments require monitoring for organ effects, bleeding risk and other serious adverse reactions.
The catalogue cannot stage HCC or define treatment; specialist review of imaging, liver function, fitness and prior therapy is essential.
How is HCC treatment planned?
Selected early disease may be treated with resection, ablation or liver transplantation. Other tumours may need liver-directed procedures or systemic therapy. The plan balances cancer control against the risk of worsening liver failure.
When is systemic medicine used?
Sorafenib is used in selected advanced disease, but current choices depend on prior treatment and contraindications. It is not interchangeable with surgery or liver-directed therapy. Adverse-effect support belongs within oncology support.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for vomiting blood, black stool, new confusion, severe abdominal pain, fainting, rapidly increasing abdominal swelling, jaundice with fever, or marked illness during treatment.