Global Health & Medicine 2025;7(6):414-415.

Surgical treatments for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: Resection versus transplantation

Kokudo T, Yamaguchi T, Halkic N, Kokudo N

Abstract

Liver resection (LR) and liver transplantation (LT) are the two principal curative options for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal choice for individual patients remains uncertain. Recent meta-analyses suggest that LT confers superior long-term survival compared with LR, particularly when tumor burden meets transplant criteria and donor availability is sufficient. Although LT requires lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, patient-reported quality of life appears comparable between LT and LR. Overall, current evidence indicates that LT may offer improved survival without compromising quality of life in appropriately selected patients.

KEYWORDS: hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, liver resection, quality of life

DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2025.01133

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