Management of hepatocellular carcinoma prior to liver transplantation: latest developments.

Summary: Liver cancer is very dangerous, but getting a new liver can cure it! In fact, more than 75% of people live for over 5 years after their transplant. But there is a catch: patients often have to wait at least 6 months for a new liver. While waiting, doctors use special treatments like targeted heat or radiation to keep the cancer from growing. Sometimes, these treatments can hurt the sick liver. Now, doctors are also testing new medicines that help the body's immune system fight the cancer. They just have to be careful to stop these medicines early enough so the body doesn't reject the new liver.