Project 5

Management of hepatic malignancy: the role of transplantation

Early results from liver transplant patients receiving organs for malignant indications were poor. Recent data have demonstrated that with stricter selection criteria and neoadjuvant therapies, outcomes have improved significantly not just in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, but also with other primary tumours such as cholangiocarcinoma which have traditionally been regarded as contra-indications to transplantation. An number of alternatives to transplantation, including surgical resection and percutaneous ablative therapies have also demonstrated promise in the treatment of these malignancies.

This review identified the current trends in the management of hepatic malignancies, with a particular focus on the role of transplantation. The evidence for the numerous interventions was analysed, and suggestions for further research are made. This project had input from Professor Peter Friend from the Nuffield Department of Surgery in Oxford.

This project is now complete and has been published in the British Journal of Surgery, 2007;94:1319-30.