Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Recent first-line immunotherapy has improved overall survival in HCC to about 19 months. Early and late HCC recurrence are biologically distinct and require different surveillance approaches. Late HCC recurrence beyond two years reflects new tumor development in the remaining liver rather than residual microscopic metastases. Locally advanced or metastatic HCC has a 5-year overall survival below 10%. Patients with HCC may experience pain, fever, functional decline, and mental disorders. Up to 70% of patients experience HCC recurrence within five years after initial curative treatment. HCC accounts for 85–90% of primary liver cancers. Curative treatments for very early or early-stage HCC include surgical resection and local ablative therapies when liver function is preserved.