Treatment of Localized Hepatocellular Carcinoma Confined to the Liver in the Absence of Cirrhosis

This protocol addresses hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as a localized tumor confined to the liver in patients without underlying cirrhosis — a clinically distinct subset where the absence of chronic liver disease substantially shapes the curative-intent strategy.

Clinical scenario Localized hepatocellular carcinoma confined to the liver; no underlying cirrhosis. The lack of cirrhosis in this population has direct bearing on which curative-intent interventions are appropriate and how the treatment algorithm is structured.

Treatment approach (partial) Surgical intervention is the established curative approach in this setting. Liver transplantation is considered in specific recurrence scenarios following prior resection, subject to defined eligibility criteria. The complete algorithm — including sequencing, eligibility criteria, and decision points — is available in the full protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000466

Surgical resection is the curative treatment of choice for patients with localized HCC in the absence of cirrhosis.

Surgical resection should be the treatment of choice for localized HCC in the absence of underlying cirrhosis (Level 2, Strong Recommendation).

Liver transplantation should be the treatment of choice for transplant-eligible patients with HCC that recur within Milan criteria after surgical resection (Level 3, Strong Recommendation).

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