The multiple aspects of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: comments on the recommendations from the consensus conference

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a recognized indication for liver transplantation (LT)as it can at the same time provide a radical oncological resection and prevent its recurrence treating thehepatic disease. However the shortage of donors and the long time on waiting list forces the hepatologistsand transplant surgeons to adopt bridging locoregional treatments to prevent the drop out and to performdownstaging treatments to offer a chance of radical intervention to more patients. The therapeuticalstrategies for patients suffering from HCC are various and different choices should be considered accordingto each patient’s clinical situation according to prognostic and staging systems. Recently recommendationshave been published on Lancet Oncology about this topic. These guidelines are very helpful in choosingamong the different therapeutic options and in the management of patients in waiting list. Here we brieflysummarize and comment the main features covered in the recommendations.