Year 2025 / Volume 117 / Number 9
Editorial
The invisible burden — The challenge of untreated hepatocellular carcinoma

487-489

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2025.11454/2025

José Luis Lledó Navarro,

Abstract
This editorial explores the situation of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who, due to advanced frailty, multiple health conditions, personal choice, or terminal disease stage, are not candidates for active cancer treatment. Despite progress in early diagnosis, a notable percentage of these individuals receive only comfort-oriented care. The article reviews how their prognosis is largely determined by the severity of liver failure and overall health status, while tumor features such as extent and vascular invasion, along with high tumor markers, further diminish survival prospects. It also discusses the influence of social context and patient decisions on outcomes. The editorial advocates for a care model focused on alleviating symptoms, respecting patient preferences, and improving quality of life through palliative interventions. It calls for more inclusive research and healthcare strategies that address the specific needs of these patients, emphasizing the importance of compassion, respect, and tailored support during the final stages of illness.
New comment
Comments
No comments for this article
References
1. Llovet JM, Kelley RK, Villanueva A et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021; 7 (1): 6.
2. European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 2018
3. Cabibbo G, Maida M, Genco C, et al. Natural history of untreatable hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study. World J Hepatol 2012;4(9):256-61.
4. Bruix J, Llovet JM. Prognostic prediction and treatment strategy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2002; 35(3): 519-24
5. Kwon MJ, Chang S, Kim JH, et al. Factors associated with the survival outcomes of patients with untreated hepatocellular carcinoma: an analysis of nationwide data. Front Oncol 2023;13:1142661
6. Giannini EG, Farinati F, Ciccarese F, et al. Prognosis of untreated hepatocelular carcinoma. Hepatology 2015;61(1):184-90.
7. González-Sánchez H, Castaño-García A, Celada-Sendino M et al Demographic and survival characteristics of untreated hepatocellular carcinoma patients: insights into the natural history and pronostic determinants. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2025 doi: 10.17235/reed.2025.11029/2024.
Citation tools
Lledó Navarro J. The invisible burden — The challenge of untreated hepatocellular carcinoma. 11454/2025


Download to a citation manager

Download the citation for this article by clicking on one of the following citation managers:

Metrics
This article has received 31 visits.
This article has been downloaded 0 times.

Statistics from Dimensions


Statistics from Plum Analytics

Publication history

Received: 02/07/2025

Accepted: 03/07/2025

Online First: 30/07/2025

Published: 15/09/2025

Article Online First time: 28 days

Article editing time: 75 days


Share
This article hasn't been rated yet.
Reader rating:
Valora este artículo:




Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva
The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology is the official organ of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva
Cookie policy Privacy Policy Legal Notice © Copyright 2025 y Creative Commons. The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology