Adult hepatocellular carcinoma

Adult hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also known as hepatoma, is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver occurring in adults. It arises from hepatocytes, the main functional cells of the liver, and predominantly develops in the setting of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Major risk factors include chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), aflatoxin exposure, and metabolic conditions such as hereditary hemochromatosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The disease primarily affects the hepatobiliary system but can metastasize to the lungs, bones, lymph nodes, and adrenal glands. Key clinical features include abdominal pain or discomfort (particularly in the right upper quadrant), hepatomegaly, weight loss, fatigue, jaundice, ascites, and deterioration of liver function. Many patients are asymptomatic in early stages, and the tumor is often detected through surveillance programs in high-risk populations using ultrasound and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement. Paraneoplastic manifestations such as hypercalcemia, erythrocytosis, and hypoglycemia may occasionally occur. The treatment landscape for adult HCC is complex and depends on tumor stage, liver function (often assessed by the Child-Pugh score), and the patient's overall performance status. Curative options include surgical resection, liver transplantation, and local ablation therapies (radiofrequency or microwave ablation) for early-stage disease. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used for intermediate-stage disease. For advanced-stage HCC, systemic therapies have expanded significantly and now include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (such as sorafenib and lenvatinib), immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab), and other targeted agents. Despite advances, prognosis remains poor for patients diagnosed at advanced stages, underscoring the importance of early detection and prevention strategies.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Common questions about Adult hepatocellular carcinoma