Optimizing Treatment Approaches for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
David J. Pinato, MD, PhD, discusses the importance of utilizing a multidisciplinary approach when treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and how this approach helps optimize patient outcomes now as well as how it will help in the near future as more therapies emerge.
David J. Pinato, MD, PhD, clinical senior lecturer in medical oncology, clinician scientist, consultant medical oncologist, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, discusses the importance of utilizing a multidisciplinary approach when treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and how this approach helps optimize patient outcomes now as well as how it will help in the near future as more therapies emerge.
Patients with HCC often shift from locoregional or radical care to palliative care, which makes it crucial that physicians have an ongoing multidisciplinary effort when managing these patients, says Pinato. As new treatments become available, however, he believes we will begin to see that link between good management of underlying liver function with good oncologic management.
All physicians are here to maximize the oncological outcomes for patients with HCC, says Pinato. Overall survival is key in this, and he does not think this is achievable without the work of a multidisciplinary team. Everyone needs to work together to optimize survival in these patients.
