Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy globally and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Its incidence continues to rise worldwide, and it is currently the fastest-growing cancer by incidence in the United States. HCC most often arises in the con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Diseases |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/7/207 |
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| author | Nisar Amin Javaria Anwar Abdullahi Sulaiman Nadia Nikolaeva Naumova Nadeem Anwar |
| author_facet | Nisar Amin Javaria Anwar Abdullahi Sulaiman Nadia Nikolaeva Naumova Nadeem Anwar |
| author_sort | Nisar Amin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy globally and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Its incidence continues to rise worldwide, and it is currently the fastest-growing cancer by incidence in the United States. HCC most often arises in the context of chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. While chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) has traditionally been the primary etiologic factor, recent advances in antiviral therapies and prevention strategies have shifted the epidemiological landscape. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease are increasingly prominent risk factors, especially in Western populations. This shift underscores the need for targeted risk factor modification, improved early detection, and enhanced surveillance protocols. The management of HCC necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating locoregional therapies, surgical resection, liver transplantation, and systemic therapies for advanced-stage disease. Recent advances in systemic treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination therapies, have transformed the therapeutic landscape. Despite these developments, significant challenges persist in optimizing treatment, identifying predictive biomarkers, and personalizing therapy. Ongoing research is focused on refining molecular classifications and advancing precision medicine strategies to improve outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the etiology, surveillance strategies, diagnostic approaches, molecular features, and current treatment modalities for HCC. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf3202fa6a774e7a84fd34c2badf901d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-9721 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-bf3202fa6a774e7a84fd34c2badf901d2025-08-20T03:35:37ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-07-0113720710.3390/diseases13070207Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive ReviewNisar Amin0Javaria Anwar1Abdullahi Sulaiman2Nadia Nikolaeva Naumova3Nadeem Anwar4Department of Internal Medicine, Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV 25304, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV 25304, USADepartment of Pathology, Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV 25304, USADepartment of Pathology, Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV 25304, USADepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV 25304, USAHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy globally and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Its incidence continues to rise worldwide, and it is currently the fastest-growing cancer by incidence in the United States. HCC most often arises in the context of chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. While chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) has traditionally been the primary etiologic factor, recent advances in antiviral therapies and prevention strategies have shifted the epidemiological landscape. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease are increasingly prominent risk factors, especially in Western populations. This shift underscores the need for targeted risk factor modification, improved early detection, and enhanced surveillance protocols. The management of HCC necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating locoregional therapies, surgical resection, liver transplantation, and systemic therapies for advanced-stage disease. Recent advances in systemic treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination therapies, have transformed the therapeutic landscape. Despite these developments, significant challenges persist in optimizing treatment, identifying predictive biomarkers, and personalizing therapy. Ongoing research is focused on refining molecular classifications and advancing precision medicine strategies to improve outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the etiology, surveillance strategies, diagnostic approaches, molecular features, and current treatment modalities for HCC.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/7/207HCChepatocellular carcinomaliver cancercirrhosisviral hepatitisliver cancer etiology |
| spellingShingle | Nisar Amin Javaria Anwar Abdullahi Sulaiman Nadia Nikolaeva Naumova Nadeem Anwar Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review Diseases HCC hepatocellular carcinoma liver cancer cirrhosis viral hepatitis liver cancer etiology |
| title | Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | hepatocellular carcinoma a comprehensive review |
| topic | HCC hepatocellular carcinoma liver cancer cirrhosis viral hepatitis liver cancer etiology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/7/207 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nisaramin hepatocellularcarcinomaacomprehensivereview AT javariaanwar hepatocellularcarcinomaacomprehensivereview AT abdullahisulaiman hepatocellularcarcinomaacomprehensivereview AT nadianikolaevanaumova hepatocellularcarcinomaacomprehensivereview AT nadeemanwar hepatocellularcarcinomaacomprehensivereview |