Elsayed MOK. Treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: The current standards and future perspectives. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2025; 17(11): 110735 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i11.110735]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Mohammed Omar Khalifa Elsayed, MD, FRCP, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, United Kingdom. dmohammed_omar_76@outlook.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Review
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Nov 15, 2025 (publication date) through Nov 13, 2025
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Publication Name
World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
ISSN
1948-5204
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Elsayed MOK. Treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: The current standards and future perspectives. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2025; 17(11): 110735 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i11.110735]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Nov 15, 2025; 17(11): 110735 Published online Nov 15, 2025. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i11.110735
Treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: The current standards and future perspectives
Mohammed Omar Khalifa Elsayed
Mohammed Omar Khalifa Elsayed, Department of Gastroenterology, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Elsayed MOK wrote and revised the review and submitted it for publication.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mohammed Omar Khalifa Elsayed, MD, FRCP, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, United Kingdom. dmohammed_omar_76@outlook.com
Received: June 13, 2025 Revised: June 29, 2025 Accepted: October 9, 2025 Published online: November 15, 2025 Processing time: 154 Days and 2.8 Hours
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the commonest cancers worldwide with an overall poor prognosis and survival rates. The rising incidence of liver disease, in particular non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, will account for a continued increase in the rates of liver cancer. The recurrence of HCC has been reported across the different etiologies of liver disease. Unlike primary HCC, there is no agreed consensus or guidance as to the optimum management of recurrent HCC (RHCC). Furthermore, the management of RHCC may prove more challenging compared to primary liver cancer, given the smaller residual liver volume and functions in settings following surgery or transplantation. Various modalities exist for the treatment of primary HCC including resection, liver transplantation, loco-regional and systemic therapies. Nevertheless, the role of such modalities remains unclear in the management of RHCC. In this article, we aim to review the different approaches of the current standards for the management of RHCC. We will also shed some light on the future perspectives in this field.
Core Tip: Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is indeed an increasing concern, especially as the global incidence of chronic liver diseases continues to rise. The management of recurrent HCC remains complex, particularly after liver transplantation or hepatic resection, as there is no universally agreed-upon approach. Several treatment modalities are available as locoregional and systemic therapies, and each comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. As recurrent HCC becomes more prevalent, developing a clear, evidence-based treatment approach will be crucial. Further research and prospective randomized trials are essential to determine the best management strategies, establish guidelines, and improve long-term patient outcomes in this challenging clinical scenario.
