What does a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mean, and what does the BCLC staging system describe?

Das hepatozelluläre Karzinom (HCC) ist der häufigste bösartige Lebertumor. Es entsteht fast immer auf der Basis einer chronischen Lebererkrankung – etwa durch Hepatitis B oder C, Alkohol, Fettleber oder Zirrhose. In der Schweiz wird die Zahl der Neuerkrankungen auf rund 600–700 pro Jahr geschätzt, zunehmend auch bei nichtalkoholischer Fettleber.

The BCLC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer) staging system classifies HCC into different stages, from very early to advanced tumors. It takes into account liver function, general health, and tumor spread. This system helps doctors choose the optimal treatment.

In early stages, the tumor can often be surgically removed or cured by liver transplantation. Alternatively, local ablative procedures such as radiofrequency ablation are used. In more advanced stages, systemic therapy is the primary treatment.
The prognosis depends heavily on the stage and liver function. Early stages have good chances of recovery, while modern combinations of immune and targeted therapies now yield significantly better results than in the past for advanced tumors.