Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus: Advances and Challenges

Overview

Journal Oncotarget

Specialty Oncology

Date 2017 Apr 22

PMID 28430610

Citations 46

Authors

Jin-Fang Jiang

Yong-Cong Lao

Bao-Hong Yuan

Jun Yin

Xin Liu

Long Chen

Jian-Hong Zhong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Portal vein tumor thrombus is a frequent, challenging complication in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus may show worse liver function, less treatment tolerance and worse prognosis than patients without portal vein tumor thrombus, and they may be at higher risk of comorbidity related to portal hypertension. Western and some Asian guidelines stratify hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus together with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma and therefore recommend only palliative treatment with sorafenib or other systemic agents. In recent years, more treatment options have become available for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus, and an evidence-based approach to optimizing disease management and treatment has become more widespread. Nevertheless, consensus policies for managing hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus have not been established. This comprehensive literature review, drawing primarily on studies published after 2010, examines currently available management options for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus.

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