Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment (Current Clinical Oncology)

Recent advances in the use of ultrasound and computed tomography, in new drugs and drug combinations, as well as with increasingly successful liver transplantation have transformed not only our understanding of hepatocellular cancer (HCC), but also our clinical management of the disease. In Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment, highly experienced clinicians-many from Dr. Thomas Starzl's renowned liver transplant team at the University of Pittsburgh-present a fully synthesized practical approach to HCC patient management, including an up-to-date literature review. Their presentation includes all the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer. A summary chapter details for physicians the diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making process for dealing with such problems as incidental tumors in the liver transplant, the role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, intra-arterial vs intravenous therapy, the uses of embolization, and the significance of portal vein thrombus. A value-added compact disk containing a companion ebook version of Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment is included for downloading and use in the reader's PC or PDA. Authoritative and highly practical, Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment captures for physicians the recent exciting changes in our understanding of hepatocellular cancer, focusing on today's optimal diagnostic methods, novel therapeutics, and day-to-day best management practices.

In these 14 articles clinicians describe practical approaches to HCC patient management, including an up-to-date literature review. Topics include an overview of the etiology and epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma and its molecular mechanisms, clinical features and diagnostic evaluation techniques, including imaging technologies, radiological evaluation, ethanol and acetic acid ablation, radiofrequency ablation, resection, transplantation, and radiation and medical therapies. The CD-ROM can be downloaded to a PC or PDA. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:William C. Chapman, MD(Washington University School of Medicine)
Description:This book focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma including optimal diagnostic methods, novel therapeutics, and day-to-day management practice. This is a standard textbook, with 14 chapters from 27 authors, but it includes an e-book CD version which may be downloaded to the reader's PC or PDA for readily available access.
Purpose:Hepatocellular cancer (HCC), previously regarded as a rare disease, is now being seen with significantly increased frequency. Because of the complicated nature of this malignancy, including the coexistence of underlying liver disease and the multitude of potential treatment options, this book attempts to summarize and highlight important new developments and standardized treatment approaches depending on individual patient and clinical variables. In this regard, the book is intended to provide an overview of current therapy for HCC. These objectives are important and overall, the book succeeds in meeting them.
Audience:While suitable for any individual with an interest in hepatocellular carcinoma including medical students and others in allied medical fields, this book is probably best suited for specialists focused on liver disease and liver malignancy: the liver transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon, the gastroenterologist and hepatologist, interventional radiologist with a specific interest in liver associated disorders, and medical oncologists with a specific interest in hepatocellular carcinoma. The editor is the medical director of the liver cancer program at the Thomas Starzl Transplant Institute in Pittsburgh.
Features:This book is focused primarily on the clinical and practical aspects of patient screening, diagnostic studies, and therapeutic planning for hepatocellular carcinoma. In a final chapter, the editor and several of his coauthors have compiled a summary overview outlining the specific approach that may be used depending on the specific variables in individual cases. This concise overview attempts to provide guidance for the many treatment options available for patients with HCC. The reader is then able to refer to previous chapters within the book for expanded specific details regarding individual techniques and therapy.
Assessment:This is an important book for the liver focused clinician who treats patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. It represents a complex and rapidly changing field and in this regard, the book provides an up-to-date practical guide for patient assessment and management. This book is an important addition to all physicians and surgeons who treat patients with advanced liver disease, especially hepatocellular carcinoma.

Etilology and epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma / Jawad Ahmad and Mordechai Rabinovitz Molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma: insights to therapy / Marie C. DeFrances and George K. Michalopoulos Clinical features and diagnostic evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma / David A. Sass and Kapil B. Chopra Pathologic aspects of hepatocellular tumors / Hale Kirimlioglu, Anthony J. Demetris, and Michael A. Nalesnik Use of imaging techniques to screen for hepatocellular carcinoma / Michael P. Federle Radiologic evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma / Michael P. Federle and Michael J. Payne Percutaneous ethanol and acetic acid ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma / Vibhu Kapoor and F. Leland Thaete Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma / Martin Goodman and David A. Geller Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma Katsuhiko Yanaga ... [et al.] Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma / Andrew Bonham ... [et al.] Interventional radiology techniques for intra-arterial chemo-embolization / Nikhil B. Amesur, Albert B. Zajko, and Philip D. Orons Medical therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma / Brian I. Carr Radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma / Andrew S. Kennedy Putting it all together: practical guidelines and considerations for physicians / Brian I. Carr, J. Wallis Marsh, and David A. Geller. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Etiology and Epidemiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 1-22 Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 23-57 Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 59-75 Pathological Aspects of Hepatocellular Tumors....Pages 77-115 Use of Imaging Techniques to Screen for Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 117-140 Radiological Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 141-151 Percutaneous Ethanol and Acetic Acid Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 153-169 Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 171-183 Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 185-198 Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 199-214 Interventional Radiology Techniques for Intra-Arterial Chemoembolization....Pages 215-231 Medical Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 233-264 Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma....Pages 265-284 Putting It All Together....Pages 285-291 Back Matter....Pages 293-298 A fully synthesized practical approach to hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patient management by members of the university of Pittsburgh's renowned Liver Cancer Center. Their presentation includes all the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer. A summary chapter details for physicians the diagnostic and therapeutic decision making process for dealing with such problems as incidental tumors in the liver transplant, the role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, intra-arterial vs. intravenous therapy, the uses of embolization, and the significance of portal vein thrombus. Authoritative and highly practical, Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment captures for physicians the recent exciting changes that in our understanding, diagnostic methods, novel therapeutics, and day-to-day management of hepatocellular cancer. "In Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment, highly experienced clinicians - many from Dr. Thomas Starzl's renowned liver transplant team at the University of Pittsburgh - present a fully synthesized practical approach to HCC patient management, including an up-to-date literature review. Their presentation includes all the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer."--Jacket