Comprehensive Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review of Current Surgical, Locoregional, and Systemic Therapies

Abstract

The most frequent primary liver cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which presents serious clinical difficulties because of its aggressiveness and frequently late-stage diagnosis. A significant health burden in Egypt is associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is highly prevalent. Liver resection and liver transplantation are two possibilities for curative treatment; each has advantages and disadvantages of its own. For tiny tumors, local ablative therapies including cryoablation, microwave ablation, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) work well. Systemic therapies including sorafenib, lenvatinib, and immunotherapy are essential for advanced stages of HCC, while locoregional therapies, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE), target intermediate-stage HCC. Novel approaches, like gene therapy and combination medicines, demonstrate the continuous progress in HCC treatment. In order to improve patient outcomes, effective therapy requires a multidisciplinary strategy that includes supportive and palliative care. Improving prognosis requires early discovery using diagnostic imaging and biomarkers, as well as screening programs. In order to maximize HCC management and patient care, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate interactions between staging systems, prognostic variables, and therapeutic modalities.