Current Trends in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapies in China

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that is particularly prevalent in China, making up almost 50% of HCC cases worldwide. Compared to HCC patients in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese patients exhibit unique characteristics in etiology, demographics (age, gender, geographic location, economic status), biological behavior, treatment options, and prognosis. While hepatitis B virus remains a primary cause of HCC in China, there is a growing trend of alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the country. A special pathological staging guidance distribution of therapies for HCC was developed by the Chinese Medical Association. In China, there is a diverse array of therapeutic options for treating HCC, including liver resection, liver transplantation, intra-arterial therapies, ablation, radiotherapies, systemic therapies, and traditional Chinese medicine. The treatment of HCC has multiple permutations and combinations of modalities. Due to the varying stages of HCC and individual patient differences, the multidisciplinary team model is often necessary to tailor treatment strategies and optimize clinical outcomes. Meanwhile, to enhance survival benefits and effectively improve the prognosis and life quality of patients with HCC, Chinese experts are actively engaged in conducting clinical trials to identify potential beneficiary populations. This review aims to elaborate on the therapeutic features of HCC in China to present to the world the innovative approaches and comprehensive care offered to Chinese HCC patients.