The Role of Liver Transplantation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Clin Liver Dis. 2025 Feb;29(1):73-85. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.08.009. Epub 2024 Oct 28.

Abstract

Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard-of-care for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current selection criteria depend primarily on measures of tumor burden and alpha-fetoprotein levels. Evolving strategies include the application of prognostic scores and the development of specialized molecular markers to predict recurrence. New technologies such as machine perfusion of donor organs are expected to dramatically improve the availability and access to LT in HCC.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver transplantation; Recurrence predictors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Patient Selection
  • Prognosis
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins