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Ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: beyond the standard indications

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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver neoplasia, represents the fifth most common malignant disease in men. Percutaneous ablation treatment is recommended among the treatments suggested for HCC patients in the very early/early stage. In the last decade, very important results in terms of survival benefits have been obtained with local ablative therapies, also outside the standard indications, thanks to many technical innovations. In particular, important results of ablation as a safe and effective technique have been obtained in the treatment of intermediate- or advanced-stage patients with HCC, and in the treatment of unfavourable tumour locations. Moreover, awareness is growing regarding the necessity of overcoming the rigidity of traditional guidelines in the treatment of HCC due to the complexity of patients with HCC, focusing on Precision Medicine. In this context, it is important to know the standard and non-standard indications of ablation in the treatment of HCC in order to offer the best therapeutic option tailored for each patient. The aim of this study was to analyse the possible clinical applications of ablative therapies for HCC patients, beyond the traditional indications recommended in the most widespread clinical practice guidelines for the management of HCC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, Sant’Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    Matteo Renzulli, Irene Pettinari, Giuliano Peta & Rita Golfieri

  2. Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Francesco Tovoli & Fabio Piscaglia

  3. Radiology and Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy

    Alfredo Clemente & Salvatore Cappabianca

  4. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Anna Maria Ierardi & Gianpaolo Carrafiello

  5. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Giovanni Marasco & Davide Festi

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  1. Matteo Renzulli
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  2. Francesco Tovoli
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Renzulli, M., Tovoli, F., Clemente, A. et al. Ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: beyond the standard indications. Med Oncol 37, 23 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-020-01348-y

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