Current Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. In the United States, the incidence of HCC has increased by nearly 75% since the 1980s. The rise in HCC diagnoses in the United States has been attributed to an increased number of patients infected with viral hepatitis and better diagnostic techniques. The management of HCC begins with diagnostic confirmation, followed by accurate staging. Historically, the prognosis for patients with HCC has been poor; however, improved surveillance and radiologic imaging techniques have led to earlier detection of HCC and an increased opportunity to treat patients. Treatment options for HCC include surgical and nonsurgical modalities. Surgical therapy, by way of partial hepatectomy or orthotopic liver transplantation, is the only potentially curative treatment for HCC, but most patients are not eligible for these procedures by the time of diagnosis. Palliative options include ablative techniques, radiation, and systemic therapies. As the incidence of this malignancy continues to rise, oncology nurses, who are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team caring for these patients, must be aware of current management for HCC. This article will provide an overview of the complex management of patients with HCC in the United States.