Role of the multidisciplinary team in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

It has long been appreciated that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex disease. HCC is typically preceded by liver cirrhosis, which is itself caused by various types of hepatitis of both viral and nonviral etiologies. Thus, the treatment of patients with HCC requires multiple healthcare professionals, including hepatologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, transplantation surgeons, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and interventional radiologists. These specialists should meet regularly to review patients’ progress, ensure that treatments are individualized for each patient and agree on next steps. We review case presentations provided by the authors to illustrate the benefits and advantages of the multidisciplinary team matrix in the management of patients with HCC, including the effects of this treatment technique on patient outcome, survival and quality of life.

Keywords::

• hepatocellular carcinoma
• hepatologist
• interventional radiologist
• medical oncologist
• multidisciplinary team
• natural history
• outcomes
• surgical oncologist
• targeted therapy
• treatment

Financial & competing interests disclosure

RG Gish has consultancy and investigator relationships with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As of December 2010, all monies from these companies have been deposited in a University of California-San Diego institutional account for research and education. R Lencioni has received research support and honoraria from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. AM Di Bisceglie is a consultant and member of the advisory board and has received research support from Bristo–Myers Squibb, Inc.; is a consultant for Abbott Laboratories; and is a member of the Data Safety Monitoring Board of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. JL Raoul is a member of the advisory boards and has received honoraria from Bristol–Myers Squibb, Inc. and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. V Mazzaferro has received research support and honoraria from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

The authors thank BelMed Professional Resources, New Rochelle, NY, USA, for editorial support with funding provided by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.