Position paper of the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF): The multidisciplinary clinical approach to hepatocellular carcinoma

Digestive and Liver Disease

Volumn 45, Issue 9, 2013, Pages 712-723

  Bolondi, Luigi ^a   Cillo, Umberto ^a   Colombo, Massimo ^a   Craxì, Antonio ^a   Farinati, Fabio ^a   Giannini, Edoardo G ^a   Golfieri, Rita ^a   Levrero, Massimo ^a   Daniele Pinna, Antonio ^a   Piscaglia, Fabio ^a   Raimondo, Giovanni ^a   Trevisani, Franco ^a   Bruno, Raffaele ^a   Caraceni, Paolo ^a   Ciancio, Alessia ^a   Coco, Barbara ^a   Fraquelli, Mirella ^a   Rendina, Maria ^a   Squadrito, Giovanni ^a   Toniutto, Pierluigi ^a  

^a Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF)   (Italy)

Author keywords

Cirrhosis; Hepatic resection; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver transplantation; Percutaneous ablation; Trans arterial chemoembolisation

Indexed keywords

ADULT; BILE DUCT CARCINOMA; CANCER RISK; CHEMOEMBOLIZATION; ECHOGRAPHY; FEMALE; HUMAN; LIVER CANCER; LIVER CELL CARCINOMA; LIVER CIRRHOSIS; LIVER RESECTION; LIVER TRANSPLANTATION; MAJOR CLINICAL STUDY; MALE; NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING; PALLIATIVE THERAPY; PRACTICE GUIDELINE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; REVIEW;

CIRRHOSIS; HEPATIC RESECTION; HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA; LIVER TRANSPLANTATION; PERCUTANEOUS ABLATION; TRANS-ARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLISATION;

CARCINOMA, HEPATOCELLULAR; CATHETER ABLATION; EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER; HEPATECTOMY; HUMANS; ITALY; LIVER; LIVER CIRRHOSIS; LIVER NEOPLASMS; LIVER TRANSPLANTATION; MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING; NEOPLASM STAGING; RISK ASSESSMENT; TOMOGRAPHY, X-RAY COMPUTED;

EID: 84882240544     PISSN: 15908658     EISSN: 18783562     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2013.01.012     Document Type: Review

References (112)

1. Bruix J., Sherman M. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma: an update. Hepatology 2011, 53:1020-1022.
2. Center for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM). http://www.cebm.net/.
3. AIRT. http://www.registri-tumori.it/cms/node/1701.
4. Bosetti C., Bianchi C., Negri E., et al. Estimates of the incidence and prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Italy in 2002 and projections for the years 2007 and 2012. Tumori 2009, 95:23-27.
5. Santi V., Buccione D., Di Micoli A., et al. The changing scenario of hepatocellular carcinoma over the last two decades in Italy. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 56:397-405.
6. Trevisani F., Santi V., Gramenzi A., et al. Surveillance for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: is it effective in intermediate/advanced cirrhosis?. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2007, 102:2448-2457.
7. Singal A., Volk M.L., Waljee A., et al. Meta-analysis: surveillance with ultrasound for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2009, 30:37-47.
8. Barbara L., Benzi G., Gaiani S., et al. Natural history of small untreated hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors of tumor growth rate and patient survival. Hepatology 1992, 16:132-137.
9. Zhang B.H., Yang B.H., Tang Z.Y. Randomized controlled trial of screening for hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 2004, 130:417-422.
10. Zhang B., Yang B. Combined alpha fetoprotein testing and ultrasonography as a screening test for primary liver cancer. Journal of Medical Screening 1999, 6:108-110.
11. Santi V., Trevisani F., Gramenzi A., et al. Semiannual surveillance is superior to annual surveillance for the detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma and patient survival. Journal of Hepatology 2010, 53:291-297.
12. Lee J.M., Trevisani F., Vilgrain V., et al. Imaging diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Transplantation 2011, 17(Suppl. 2):S34-S43.
13. Kudo M., Izumi N., Kokudo N., et al. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan: Consensus-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines proposed by the Japan Society of Hepatology (JSH) 2010 updated version. Digestive Diseases 2011, 29:339-364.
14. Makuuchi M., Kokudo N., Arii S., et al. Development of evidence-based clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan. Hepatology Research 2008, 38:37-51.
15. Thompson Coon J., Rogers G., Hewson P., et al. Surveillance of cirrhosis for hepatocellular carcinoma: systematic review and economic analysis. Health Technology Assessment 2007, 11:1-206.
16. Trinchet J.C., Chaffaut C., Bourcier V., et al. Ultrasonographic surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: a randomized trial comparing 3- and 6-month periodicities. Hepatology 2011, 54:1987-1997.
17. Boozari B., Soudah B., Rifai K., et al. Grading of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma using late phase of contrast enhanced sonography - a prospective study. Digestive and Liver Disease 2011, 43:484-490.
18. Sangiovanni A., Manini M.A., Iavarone M., et al. The diagnostic and economic impact of contrast imaging techniques in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis. Gut 2010, 59:638-644.
19. Vilana R., Forner A., Bianchi L., et al. Intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhosis patients may display a vascular pattern similar to hepatocellular carcinoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Hepatology 2010, 51:2020-2029.
20. Chen L.D., Xu H.X., Xie X.Y., et al. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: differential diagnosis with contrast-enhanced ultrasound. European Radiology 2010, 20:743-753.
21. Barreiros A.P., Piscaglia F., Dietrich C.F. Contrast enhanced ultrasound for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): comments on AASLD guidelines. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 57:930-932.
22. Colli A., Fraquelli M., Casazza G., et al. Accuracy of ultrasonography, spiral CT, magnetic resonance, and alpha-fetoprotein in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2006, 101:513-523.
23. Forner A., Vilana R., Ayuso C., et al. Diagnosis of hepatic nodules 20mm or smaller in cirrhosis: prospective validation of the noninvasive diagnostic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2008, 47:97-104.
24. Golfieri R., Renzulli M., Lucidi V., et al. Contribution of the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI to Dynamic MRI in the detection of hypovascular small (≤2cm) HCC in cirrhosis. European Radiology 2011, 21:1233-1242.
25. Rimola J., Forner A., Tremosini S., et al. Non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma ≤2cm in cirrhosis. Diagnostic accuracy assessing fat, capsule and signal intensity at dynamic MRI. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 56:1317-1323.
26. Kojiro M. Focus on dysplastic nodules and early hepatocellular carcinoma: an Eastern point of view. Liver Transplantation 2004, 10:S3-S8.
27. Sasaki A., Kai S., Iwashita Y., et al. Microsatellite distribution and indication for locoregional therapy in small hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer 2005, 103:299-306.
28. Poon D., Anderson B.O., Chen L.T., et al. Management of hepatocellular carcinoma in Asia: consensus statement from the Asian Oncology Summit 2009. Lancet Oncology 2009, 10:1111-1118.
29. Llovet J.M., Bru C., Bruix J. Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: the BCLC staging classification. Seminars in Liver Disease 1999, 19:329-338.
30. Memon K., Kulik L., Lewandowski R.J., et al. Alpha-fetoprotein response correlates with EASL response and survival in solitary hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial therapies: a subgroup analysis. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 56:1112-1120.
31. Merani S., Majno P., Kneteman N.M., et al. The impact of waiting list alpha-fetoprotein changes on the outcome of liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Hepatology 2011, 55:814-819.
32. Personeni N., Bozzarelli S., Pressiani T., et al. Usefulness of alpha-fetoprotein response in patients treated with sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 57:101-107.
33. Giannini E.G., Risso D., Testa R., et al. Prevalence and prognostic significance of the presence of esophageal varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2006, 4:1378-1384.
34. Cescon M., Cucchetti A., Grazi G.L., et al. Indication of the extent of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis by a simple algorithm based on preoperative variables. Archives of Surgery 2009, 144:57-63. [discussion 63].
35. Ishizawa T., Hasegawa K., Aoki T., et al. Neither multiple tumors nor portal hypertension are surgical contraindications for hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastroenterology 2008, 134:1908-1916.
36. Minagawa M., Ikai I., Matsuyama Y., et al. Staging of hepatocellular carcinoma: assessment of the Japanese TNM and AJCC/UICC TNM systems in a cohort of 13,772 patients in Japan. Annals of Surgery 2007, 245:909-922.
37. Schiffman S.C., Woodall C.E., Kooby D.A., et al. Factors associated with recurrence and survival following hepatectomy for large hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter analysis. Journal of Surgical Oncology 2010, 101:105-110.
38. Wang J.H., Wang C.C., Hung C.H., et al. Survival comparison between surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation for patients in BCLC very early/early stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 56:412-418.
39. Cucchetti A., Ercolani G., Vivarelli M., et al. Impact of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score on prognosis after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis. Liver Transplantation 2006, 12:966-971.
40. Cucchetti A., Ercolani G., Vivarelli M., et al. Is portal hypertension a contraindication to hepatic resection?. Annals of Surgery 2009, 250:922-928.
41. Hsu K.Y., Chau G.Y., Lui W.Y., et al. Predicting morbidity and mortality after hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score. World Journal of Surgery 2009, 33:2412-2419.
42. Trevisani F., Frigerio M., Santi V., et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver: a reappraisal. Digestive and Liver Disease 2010, 42:341-347.
43. Imamura H., Sano K., Sugawara Y., et al. Assessment of hepatic reserve for indication of hepatic resection: decision tree incorporating indocyanine green test. Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2005, 12:16-22.
44. Chen X.P., Qiu F.Z., Wu Z.D., et al. Effects of location and extension of portal vein tumor thrombus on long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2006, 13:940-946.
45. Li N., Wu Y.R., Wu B., Lu M.Q. Surgical and oncologic outcomes following laparoscopic versus open liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis. Hepatology Research 2012, 42:51-59.
46. Berry K., Ioannou G.N. Are patients with child's a cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma appropriate candidates for liver transplantation?. American Journal of Transplantation 2012, 12:706-717.
47. Cillo U., Vitale A., Volk M.L., et al. The survival benefit of liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Digestive and Liver Disease 2010, 42:642-649.
48. Vitale A., Morales R.R., Zanus G., et al. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging and transplant survival benefit for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicentre, cohort study. Lancet Oncology 2011, 12:654-662.
49. Yao F.Y., Xiao L., Bass N.M., et al. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: validation of the UCSF-expanded criteria based on preoperative imaging. American Journal of Transplantation 2007, 7:2587-2596.
50. Mazzaferro V., Llovet J.M., Miceli R., et al. Predicting survival after liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria: a retrospective, exploratory analysis. Lancet Oncology 2009, 10:35-43.
51. Toso C., Trotter J., Wei A., et al. Total tumor volume predicts risk of recurrence following liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Transplantation 2008, 14:1107-1115.
52. Ravaioli M., Grazi G.L., Piscaglia F., et al. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: results of down-staging in patients initially outside the Milan selection criteria. American Journal of Transplantation 2008, 8:2547-2557.
53. Yao F.Y., Kerlan R.K., Hirose R., et al. Excellent outcome following down-staging of hepatocellular carcinoma prior to liver transplantation: an intention-to-treat analysis. Hepatology 2008, 48:819-827.
54. Onaca N., Davis G.L., Jennings L.W., et al. Improved results of transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a report from the International Registry of Hepatic Tumors in Liver Transplantation. Liver Transplantation 2009, 15:574-580.
55. Schwartz M., Roayaie S., Uva P. Treatment of HCC in patients awaiting liver transplantation. American Journal of Transplantation 2007, 7:1875-1881.
56. Decaens T., Roudot-Thoraval F., Badran H., et al. Impact of tumour differentiation to select patients before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver International 2011, 31:792-801.
57. Kornberg A., Kupper B., Tannapfel A., et al. Patients with non-[18 F]fludeoxyglucose-avid advanced hepatocellular carcinoma on clinical staging may achieve long-term recurrence-free survival after liver transplantation. Liver Transplantation 2012, 18:53-61.
58. Piscaglia F., Camaggi V., Ravaioli M., et al. A new priority policy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation within the model for end-stage liver disease system. Liver Transplantation 2007, 13:857-866.
59. Vitale A., D'Amico F., Frigo A.C., et al. Response to therapy as a criterion for awarding priority to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2010, 17:2290-2302.
60. Berg C.L., Merion R.M., Shearon T.H., et al. Liver transplant recipient survival benefit with living donation in the model for endstage liver disease allocation era. Hepatology 2011, 54:1313-1321.
61. Bhangui P., Vibert E., Majno P., et al. Intention-to-treat analysis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: living versus deceased donor transplantation. Hepatology 2011, 53:1570-1579.
62. Vivarelli M., Dazzi A., Zanello M., et al. Effect of different immunosuppressive schedules on recurrence-free survival after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Transplantation 2010, 89:227-231.
63. Toso C., Merani S., Bigam D.L., et al. Sirolimus-based immunosuppression is associated with increased survival after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2010, 51:1237-1243.
64. Chen M.S., Li J.Q., Zheng Y., et al. A prospective randomized trial comparing percutaneous local ablative therapy and partial hepatectomy for small hepatocellular carcinoma. Annals of Surgery 2006, 243:321-328.
65. Huang G.T., Lee P.H., Tsang Y.M., et al. Percutaneous ethanol injection versus surgical resection for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study. Annals of Surgery 2005, 242:36-42.
66. Lu M.D., Kuang M., Liang L.J., et al. [Surgical resection versus percutaneous thermal ablation for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized clinical trial]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2006, 86:801-805.
67. Huang J., Yan L., Cheng Z., et al. A randomized trial comparing radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection for HCC conforming to the Milan criteria. Annals of Surgery 2010, 252:903-912.
68. Feng K., Yan J., Le X.L., et al. A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Hepatology 2012, 57:794-802.
69. Livraghi T., Meloni F., Di Stasi M., et al. Sustained complete response and complications rates after radiofrequency ablation of very early hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: Is resection still the treatment of choice?. Hepatology 2008, 47:82-89.
70. Cho Y.K., Kim J.K., Kim W.T., Chung J.W. Hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a Markov model analysis. Hepatology 2010, 51:1284-1290.
71. Casaccia M., Andorno E., Nardi I., et al. Laparoscopic US-guided radiofrequency ablation of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in liver cirrhosis: feasibility and clinical outcome. Journal of Laparoendoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques Part A 2008, 18:797-801.
72. Santambrogio R., Podda M., Zuin M., et al. Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis. Surgical Endoscopy 2003, 17:1826-1832.
73. Cho Y.K., Kim J.K., Kim M.Y., Rhim H., Han J.K. Systematic review of randomized trials for hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous ablation therapies. Hepatology 2009, 49:453-459.
74. Germani G., Pleguezuelo M., Gurusamy K., et al. Clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous alcohol and acetic acid injection for hepatocelullar carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Journal of Hepatology 2010, 52:380-388.
75. Livraghi T., Meloni F., Solbiati L., et al. Complications of microwave ablation for liver tumors: results of a multicenter study. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology 2011, 35:868-874.
76. Shibata T., Iimuro Y., Yamamoto Y., et al. Small hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of radio-frequency ablation and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy. Radiology 2002, 223:331-337.
77. Ricci P., Cantisani V., Drudi F., et al. Is contrast-enhanced US alternative to spiral CT in the assessment of treatment outcome of radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma?. Ultraschall in der Medizin 2009, 30:252-258.
78. Shiozawa K., Watanabe M., Takayama R., et al. Evaluation of local recurrence after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid: comparison with dynamic computed tomography. Journal of Clinical Ultrasound 2010, 38:182-189.
79. Vilana R., Bianchi L., Varela M., et al. Is microbubble-enhanced ultrasonography sufficient for assessment of response to percutaneous treatment in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma?. European Radiology 2006, 16:2454-2462.
80. Lau W.Y., Lai E.C., Leung T.W., et al. Adjuvant intra-arterial iodine-131-labeled lipiodol for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective randomized trial-update on 5-year and 10-year survival. Annals of Surgery 2008, 247:43-48.
81. Muto Y., Moriwaki H., Ninomiya M., et al. Prevention of second primary tumors by an acyclic retinoid, polyprenoic acid, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatoma Prevention Study Group. New England Journal of Medicine 1996, 334:1561-1567.
82. Takayama T., Sekine T., Makuuchi M., et al. Adoptive immunotherapy to lower postsurgical recurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomised trial. Lancet 2000, 356:802-807.
83. Xia Y., Qiu Y., Li J., et al. Adjuvant therapy with capecitabine postpones recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection: a randomized controlled trial. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2010, 17:3137-3144.
84. Breitenstein S., Dimitroulis D., Petrowsky H., et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of interferon after curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatitis. British Journal of Surgery 2009, 96:975-981.
85. Miao R.Y., Zhao H.T., Yang H.Y., et al. Postoperative adjuvant antiviral therapy for hepatitis B/C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis. World Journal of Gastroenterology 2010, 16:2931-2942.
86. Miyake Y., Takaki A., Iwasaki Y., et al. Meta-analysis: interferon-alpha prevents the recurrence after curative treatment of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Viral Hepatitis 2010, 17:287-292.
87. Shen Y.C., Hsu C., Chen L.T., et al. Adjuvant interferon therapy after curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): a meta-regression approach. Journal of Hepatology 2010, 52:889-894.
88. Singal A.K., Freeman D.H., Anand B.S. Meta-analysis: interferon improves outcomes following ablation or resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2010, 32:851-858.
89. Golfieri R., Cappelli A., Cucchetti A., et al. Efficacy of selective transarterial chemoembolization in inducing tumor necrosis in small (<5cm) hepatocellular carcinomas. Hepatology 2011, 53:1580-1589.
90. Llovet J.M., Bruix J. Systematic review of randomized trials for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: chemoembolization improves survival. Hepatology 2003, 37:429-442.
91. Giannini E.G., Savarino V., Risso D., et al. Transarterial chemoembolization in Child-Pugh class B patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: between the devil and the deep blue sea. Liver International 2010, 30:923-924. [author reply 924-5].
92. Marelli L., Stigliano R., Triantos C., et al. Transarterial therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: which technique is more effective? A systematic review of cohort and randomized studies. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology 2007, 30:6-25.
93. Lammer J., Malagari K., Vogl T., et al. Prospective randomized study of doxorubicin-eluting-bead embolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: results of the PRECISION V study. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology 2010, 33:41-52.
94. Dhanasekaran R., Kooby D.A., Staley C.A., et al. Comparison of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and chemoembolization with doxorubicin drug eluting beads (DEB) for unresectable hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC). Journal of Surgical Oncology 2010, 101:476-480.
95. Sacco R., Bargellini I., Bertini M., et al. Conventional versus doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2011, 22:1545-1552.
96. Hunt S.J., Yu W., Weintraub J., et al. Radiologic monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma tumor viability after transhepatic arterial chemoembolization: estimating the accuracy of contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging with histopathologic correlation. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2009, 20:30-38.
97. Lencioni R., Llovet J.M. Modified RECIST (mRECIST) assessment for hepatocellular carcinoma. Seminars in Liver Disease 2010, 30:52-60.
98. Kim H.J., Kim T.K., Kim P.N., et al. Assessment of the therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: comparison of contrast-enhanced sonography and 3-phase computed tomography. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine 2006, 25:477-486.
99. Raoul J.L., Sangro B., Forner A., et al. Evolving strategies for the management of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: available evidence and expert opinion on the use of transarterial chemoembolization. Cancer Treatment Reviews 2010, 37:212-220.
100. Carr B.I., Kondragunta V., Buch S.C., et al. Therapeutic equivalence in survival for hepatic arterial chemoembolization and yttrium 90 microsphere treatments in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a two-cohort study. Cancer 2010, 116:1305-1314.
101. Kooby D.A., Egnatashvili V., Srinivasan S., et al. Comparison of yttrium-90 radioembolization and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2010, 21:224-230.
102. Salem R., Lewandowski R.J., Kulik L., et al. Radioembolization results in longer time-to-progression and reduced toxicity compared with chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastroenterology 2011, 140:497-507. e492.
103. Kulik L.M., Carr B.I., Mulcahy M.F., et al. Safety and efficacy of 90Y radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with and without portal vein thrombosis. Hepatology 2008, 47:71-81.
104. Koda M., Murawaki Y., Mitsuda A., et al. Combination therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and percutaneous ethanol injection compared with percutaneous ethanol injection alone for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized control study. Cancer 2001, 92:1516-1524.
105. Becker G., Soezgen T., Olschewski M., et al. Combined TACE and PEI for palliative treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. World Journal of Gastroenterology 2005, 11:6104-6109.
106. Bartolozzi C., Lencioni R., Caramella D., et al. Treatment of large HCC: transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with percutaneous ethanol injection versus repeated transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Radiology 1995, 197:812-818.
107. Akamatsu M., Yoshida H., Obi S., et al. Evaluation of transcatheter arterial embolization prior to percutaneous tumor ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized controlled trial. Liver International 2004, 24:625-629.
108. Marelli L., Stigliano R., Triantos C., et al. Treatment outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma using chemoembolization in combination with other therapies. Cancer Treatment Reviews 2006, 32:594-606.
109. Llovet J.M., Ricci S., Mazzaferro V., et al. Sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. New England Journal of Medicine 2008, 359:378-390.
110. Iavarone M., Cabibbo G., Piscaglia F., et al. Field-practice study of sorafenib therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective multicenter study in Italy. Hepatology 2011, 54:2055-2063.
111. Mazzaferro V., Romito R., Schiavo M., et al. Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence with alpha-interferon after liver resection in HCV cirrhosis. Hepatology 2006, 44:1543-1554.
112. Carosi G., Rizzetto M., Alberti A., et al. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B: update of the recommendations from the 2007 Italian Workshop. Digestive and Liver Disease 2011, 43:259-265.