UNASSIGNED: Advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma is a heterogeneous group with limited treatment options. TACE has been advocated recently by various study groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if TACE in combination with sorafenib, as well as TACE alone, was safe and efficacious in treating BCLC stage C HCC.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective evaluation of the clinical data of 78 patients with BCLC stage C HCC who received either TACE-sorafenib (TS) combination therapy or TACE monotherapy as their first treatment was done. The two groups were compared in terms of radiological tumor response 1 month after the intervention. The two groups were also compared in terms of time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and adverse events.
UNASSIGNED: The disease control rate (44.9% and 25.8%, respectively, P = 0.09) was higher in the TS combination group than in the TACE monotherapy group after 1 month of treatment. The TS combination group had significantly superior TTP and OS than the TACE group (TTP was 4.6 and 3.1 months, respectively, P = 0.001), and OS was 10.1 and 7.8 months, respectively, P < 0.001). The TACE-S group had a greater cumulative survival time at 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year than the TACE group (97.9%, 51.1%, 25.7% vs. 90.4%, 51.6%, and 0%, respectively).
UNASSIGNED: TS combination therapy in advanced-stage (BCLC-C) HCC significantly improved disease control rate, TTP, and OS compared with TACE alone, without any significant increase in adverse reactions.

UNASSIGNED: Liver resection (LR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥10 mmHg is not encouraged. Here, we reappraised the outcomes of patients with cirrhosis and CSPH who underwent LR for HCC in highly specialised liver centres.
UNASSIGNED: This was a retrospective multicentre study from 1999 to 2019. Predictors for postoperative liver decompensation and textbook outcomes were identified.
UNASSIGNED: In total, 79 patients with a median age of 65 years were included. The Child-Pugh grade was A in 99% of patients, and the median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 8. The median HVPG was 12 mmHg. Major hepatectomies and laparoscopies were performed in 28% and 34% of patients, respectively. Ninety-day mortality and severe morbidity rates were 6% and 27%, respectively. Postoperative and persistent liver decompensation occurred in 35% and 10% of patients at 3 months. Predictors of liver decompensation included increased preoperative HVPG (p = 0.004), increased serum total bilirubin (p = 0.02), and open approach (p = 0.03). Of the patients, 34% achieved a textbook outcome, of which the laparoscopic approach was the sole predictor (p = 0.004). The 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates were 55% and 43%, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with cirrhosis, HCC and HVPG ≥10 mmHg can undergo LR with acceptable mortality, morbidity, and liver decompensation rates. The laparoscopic approach was the sole predictor of a textbook outcome.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and clinically significant portal hypertension (defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥10 mmHg) can undergo resection with acceptable mortality, morbidity, liver decompensation rates, and a textbook outcome. These results can be achieved in selected patients with preserved liver function, good general status, and sufficient remnant liver volume.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure in patients with chronic liver disease. There are no consensus guidelines on diagnosis and management of HCC in India. The Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) set up a Task-Force on HCC in 2011, with a mandate to develop consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management of HCC, relevant to disease patterns and clinical practices in India. The Task-Force first identified various contentious issues on various aspects of HCC and these issues were allotted to individual members of the Task-Force who reviewed them in detail. The Task-Force used the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine-Levels of Evidence of 2009 for developing an evidence-based approach. A 2-day round table discussion was held on 9th and 10th February, 2013 at Puri, Odisha, to discuss, debate, and finalize the consensus statements. The members of the Task-Force reviewed and discussed the existing literature at this meeting and formulated the INASL consensus statements for each of the issues. We present here the INASL consensus guidelines (The Puri Recommendations) on prevention, diagnosis and management of HCC in India.