[Local ablation of malignant lesions of the liver - potential applications and limitations of the different methods]. / Lokale Ablationsverfahren als Ergänzung der Therapie maligner Leberläsionen.

Malignant lesions of the liver are among the most frequent and difficult problems in clinical practice. Liver tumors can be classified as primary (hepatocellular carcinoma HCC, cholangiocarcinoma CC) and secondary liver lesions (metastasis). The therapeutic principle of resecting liver tumours, applies to both types of liver lesions. Unfortunately many patients with primary and secondary liver lesions are inoperable because of technical difficulties or comorbidity. This stimulated the development of percutaneous ablation methods. These procedures allow to destroy tumors percutaneously with alcohol, acetic acid, radiofrequency, microwaves or laser. Potential applications and limitations of the methods are discussed.

[Systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Medikamentöse Therapie des hepatozellulären Karzinoms.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide. A variety of pharmacological strategies has been evaluated in the treatment of HCC: classical chemotherapy, tamoxifen, octreotide, thymostimulin, pravastatin, (131)I-lipiodol as well as transarterial chemoperfusion (TAC) and chemoembolisation (TACE). TACE monotherapy or TACE combined with pravastatin resulted in a survival benefit of selected HCC patients. New strategies such as immunotherapy, antiangiogenic agents or cyclooxygenase inhibitors are under clinical investigation and might play a role in future therapies for HCC. Efficient strategies for the primary prevention of HCC are available and promising concepts in the secondary prevention have been reported.