Nonsurgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Outcome from nonsurgical treatment is directly related to stage of hepat ocellular cancer (HCC) and degree of liver function impairment. 2. Ablative percutaneous procedures, such as alcohol injection or radiofreq uency thermal therapy, are most effective in the destruction of solitary tu mors of 3 cm or less. 3. In most cases, nonsurgical treatments are not curative, but may slow tum or progression and can provide palliation. 4. Arterial embolization or chemoembolization has an antitumor effect, but it has not been shown to affect patient outcome. 5. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal manipulation, and interferon h ave not been consistently effective in HCC. 6. Ablative procedures, embolization, and systemic chemotherapy should be a voided in patients with advanced cirrhosis.