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Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biology

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Multidisciplinary Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Part of the book series: Recent Results in Cancer Research ((RECENTCANCER,volume 190))

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic malignancy. Its incidence and prevalence is globally heterogeneous with the highest rates in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Western Industry nations, its incidence has significantly increased throughout the previous three decades. Its global heterogeneity is in part a reflection of the global distribution of its risk factors. Its prognosis is dismal with a 5-year survival of 11 %. The only potentially curative treatment is surgical with either resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. However, the majority of HCC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage at which surgical therapies are not feasible. HCC is considered chemotherapy-resistant—a characteristic thought to be mediated in part through stem-like tumor initiating cells (STICs). Recent studies have provided significant insights in the hepatocarcinogenesis and the molecular signaling pathways of this malignancy resulting in the development of novel, molecular targeted therapies with modest therapeutic benefit. Our growing understanding of the biology of this malignancy will help in the development of novel, molecular-targeted therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1466, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Boris Blechacz & Lopa Mishra

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  1. Boris Blechacz
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  2. Lopa Mishra
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Correspondence to Boris Blechacz .

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  1. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dept. Surgical Oncology, University of Texas, Holcombe Blvd. 1515, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Jean-Nicolas Vauthey

  2. , Dept. of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 444 1515, Houston, 77030, USA

    Antoine Brouquet

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Blechacz, B., Mishra, L. (2013). Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biology. In: Vauthey, JN., Brouquet, A. (eds) Multidisciplinary Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 190. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16037-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16037-0_1

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