Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) commonly occurs in patients with cirrhosis. Several classification systems of PVT have been proposed over the years reflecting the challenge in establishing a widely accepted system. To date, PVT has been considered an absolute contraindication for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) since it is associated with decreased graft survival and increased patient mortality. Nevertheless, the development of modern surgical techniques has enabled the inclusion of these candidates in OLT waiting lists, since their postoperative results are shown to be comparable to those of patients without PVT. The aim of the present review was to critically appraise the available treatment options for cirrhotic patients enlisted for liver transplantation in the setting of PVT.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy. It is principally associated with liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. The major risk factors for the development of HCC include viral infections (HBV, HCV), alcoholic liver disease (ALD,) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The optimal treatment choice is dictated by multiple variables such as tumor burden, liver function, and patient’s health status. Surgical resection, transplantation, ablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and systemic therapy are potentially useful treatment strategies. TACE is considered the first-line treatment for patients with intermediate stage HCC. The purpose of this review was to assess the indications, the optimal treatment schedule, the technical factors associated with TACE, and the overall application of TACE as a personalized treatment for HCC.
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