Current and novel approaches in the pharmacological treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 1 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system and treatment strategy

Stage	Very early stage (0)	Early stage (A)	Intermediate stage (B)	Advanced stage (C)	Terminal stage (D)
Characteristics	Single nodule < 2 cm, preserved liver function, ECOG PS 0	Single or 2-3 nodules < 3 cm, preserved liver function, ECOG PS 0	Multinodular, unresectable, preserved liver function, ECOG PS 0	Portal invasion/extrahepatic spread, preserved liver function, ECOG PS 1-2	Not transplantable HCC, end-stage liver function, ECOG PS 3-4
Treatment	Ablation, resection, transplant		Chemoembolization	Systemic therapy	Best supportive care
Survival	> 5 yr		> 2.5 yr	> 2 yr	3 mo

ECOG PS: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.