Seminar

Molecular Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Preliminary Steps in Personalized Medicine

Dr. Augusto Villanueva

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is becoming a worldwide health problem. In Western countries, incidence rates are increasing, mainly due to a parallel increase in hepatitis C related liver disease. HCC prognosis is dismal since less than 30% of patients will be eligible for potential curative treatments (i.e. resection, transplantation or percutaneous ablation) at the time of diagnosis. However, a recent breakthrough has changed the natural history of patients with advanced HCC.