The role of Sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma

摘要

Patients who have unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), defined as a tumor that the surgeon is unable to resect owing to medical, surgical, or psycho-social contraindications, are potential candidates for sorafenib (Nexavar, Bayer/Onyx) therapy. These patients typically have disease beyond a localized small lesion, which is usually defined as a T2 lesion. They often have fairly advanced disease, including macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic spread, but they typically do not have very impaired liver function, as evidenced by having Child-Pugh C cirrhosis. Therefore, a fairly wide group of patients can potentially benefit from sorafenib therapy. Other patients who may benefit from sorafenib therapy include those who have relatively early disease but are not candidates for liver transplantation, ablation, or resection.