What Should I Ask My Hepatocellular Carcinoma Care Team?

When you are diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), finding the right care team is an important step. Because HCC is a complex condition that involves both a tumor and, often, underlying liver disease like cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), it requires highly specialized care ^[1]. To ensure a center has the expertise required for your specific needs, consider asking your cancer team these four key questions:

• How many HCC cases does your center treat annually?
• Is my case reviewed by a dedicated multidisciplinary tumor board?
• Do you have in-house hepatologists and transplant surgeons?
• Do you offer access to HCC clinical trials?

Why Center Experience Matters

Research indicates that where you receive treatment can influence your outcomes. For example, patients who undergo surgery (resection) for HCC at hospitals that treat a high volume of these specific cases have been associated with a substantially lower risk of mortality ^[2][3]. While high volume is not a guarantee of better outcomes for every treatment, a center that frequently treats HCC will have more experience managing complex procedures and potential complications ^[2].

The Value of Multidisciplinary Care

Major clinical guidelines strongly recommend that HCC be managed by a multidisciplinary tumor board (MDT) ^[1]. This is a team of different specialists who meet to review patient cases and agree on the best treatment plan ^[4][5]. Observational studies have associated MDT management with higher rates of receiving active therapy and improved long-term survival ^[6][7][8].

Because HCC treatment often involves multiple therapies, your care should involve experts across different disciplines ^[4][5]. Key specialists include:

• Hepatologists: Doctors who specialize in the liver, essential for managing underlying liver function and cirrhosis.
• Transplant Surgeons: For selected patients with early-stage HCC and specific liver conditions, a liver transplant can be a potentially curative option.
• Interventional Radiologists: Specialists who perform localized treatments like ablation (destroying tumors with heat or cold) or chemoembolization (delivering treatment directly through the liver’s blood supply).
• Medical Oncologists: Doctors who provide systemic therapies (medications that travel throughout the body, like targeted drugs or immunotherapy).

While asking about “in-house” specialists can help you gauge the immediate resources of a center, keep in mind that strong, coordinated referral networks to outside specialists (especially for transplant evaluation) can also provide excellent care.

Access to Clinical Trials

Clinical trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs, or new supportive care approaches. While participating in a trial is not right for everyone and comes with unknowns, asking if a center offers HCC trials can help you understand their access to emerging therapies and their commitment to advancing liver cancer care.