Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Jun 27, 2025; 17(6): 104883
Published online Jun 27, 2025. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i6.104883
Table 1 Risks and benefits of liver cancer treatments
Treatment
Benefits
Risks
Indications
Contraindications
TACEMinimally invasive, effective for large or unresectable tumors, improves survival ratesRenal dysfunction, ischemic events, bleeding, thrombosis, embolization-related complicationsUnresectable HCC, large tumors, portal vein thrombosisSevere hepatic dysfunction, portal vein thrombosis, poor renal function
Radiofrequency ablationLess invasive, useful for small tumors, quick recovery, fewer complicationsHepatic bleeding, bile duct injury, less effective for larger tumors or tumors near vital structuresSmall, localized tumors, tumors in safe areas for ablationLarge tumors, tumors near critical structures (bile duct, major vessels)
Systemic chemotherapyTargets cancer cells directly, reduces tumor size, can be combined with other therapiesHematological toxicity, nausea, infection risk, limited efficacy for advanced-stage cancersAdvanced HCC, patients with distant metastasis, combination with other therapiesSevere hepatic impairment, poor general health, bone marrow suppression
SorafenibTargets VEGF, inhibits tumor angiogenesis, reduces tumor growth and metastasisCardiovascular complications (hypertension, heart failure), gastrointestinal bleeding, thrombosisAdvanced HCC with vascular invasion, combination therapy with TACEPre-existing cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, severe bleeding risks
ImmunotherapyStimulates immune system to target cancer cells, effective for advanced cancersAutoimmune-related adverse events, organ-specific toxicity, cytokine release syndromeAdvanced HCC, patients unresponsive to traditional therapiesAutoimmune conditions, severe organ dysfunction, immunosuppressive therapy contraindications