HEPATIC RESECTION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARC INOMA

Hepatic resection offers the only chance of cure for patients with hep atocellular carcinoma. Preoperative tumor staging is based on radiolog ic procedures (ultrasound, CT- and MR-imaging). Compromised hepatic fu nction will limit resectability, leaving only palliative procedures. U nfavorable prognostic tumor factors (diameter >5 cm, multifocal, non-e ncapsulated, vascular invasion) should lead to a combination of adjuva nt chemotherapy/chemoembolization and surgical intervention. In irrese ctable situations multimodality treatment protocols (combined i.v. che motherapy, radio-immuno-therapy) play an increasing role.