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Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma is an aggressive malignant tumor with high lethality. Aim: To review diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Literature review using web databases Medline/PubMed. Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common complication of hepatic cirrhosis. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C also constitute as risk factors for its development. In patients with cirrhosis, hepatocelular carcinoma usually rises upon malignant transformation of a dysplastic regenerative nodule. Differential diagnosis with other liver tumors is obtained through computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast. Magnetic resonance may be helpful in some instances. The only potentially curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma is tumor resection, which may be performed through partial liver resection or liver transplantation. Only 15% of all hepatocellular carcinomas are amenable to operative treatment. Patients with Child C liver cirrhosis are not amenable to partial liver resections. The only curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with Child C cirrhosis is liver transplantation. In most countries, only patients with hepatocellular carcinoma under Milan Criteria are considered candidates to a liver transplant. Conclusion: Hepatocellular carcinoma is potentially curable if discovered in its initial stages. Medical staff should be familiar with strategies for early diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma as a way to decrease mortality associated with this malignant neoplasm. RESUMO Introdução: O carcinoma hepatocelular é neoplasia maligna agressiva com elevada morbidade e mortalidade. Objetivo: Revisão sobre a fisiopatologia, o diagnóstico e o manejo do carcinoma hepatocelular nos vários estágios da doença. Método: Revisão da literatura utilizando a base Medline/PubMed e literatura adicional. Resultados: O carcinoma hepatocelular é geralmente complicação da cirrose hepática. As hepatites virais crônicas B e C também são fatores de risco para o surgimento do carcinoma hepatocelular. Quando associado à cirrose hepática, ele geralmente surge a partir da evolução de um nódulo regenerativo hepatocitário que sofre degeneração maligna. O diagnóstico é efetuado através de tomografia computadorizada de abdome com contraste endovenoso, e a ressonância magnética pode auxiliar nos casos que não possam ser definidos pela tomografia. O único tratamento potencialmente curativo para o carcinoma hepatocelular é a ressecção do tumor, seja ela realizada através de hepatectomia parcial ou de transplante. Infelizmente, apenas cerca de 15% dos carcinomas hepatocelulares são passíveis de tratamento cirúrgico. Pacientes portadores de cirrose hepática estágio Child B e C não devem ser submetidos à ressecção hepática parcial. Para esses pacientes, as opções terapêuticas curativas restringem-se ao transplante de fígado, desde que selecionáveis para esse procedimento, o que na maioria dos países dá-se através dos Critérios de Milão. Conclusão: Quando diagnosticado em seus estágios iniciais, o carcinoma hepatocelular é potencialmente curável. O melhor conhecimento das estratégias de diagnóstico e tratamento propiciam sua identificação precoce e a indicação de tratamento apropriado.

Background: Primary intrahepatic lithiasis is defined when the stones are formed in the liver and associated with local dilatation and biliary stricture. Liver resection is the ideal procedure. Aim: To evaluate the results of liver resection in the treatment of non-oriental intrahepatic lithiasis. Methods: Fifty-one patients with symptomatic benign non-oriental hepatolithiasis underwent surgical resection in six institutions in Brazil. Demography data, clinical symptoms, classification, diagnosis, management and postoperative course were analyzed. Results: Of the 51 patients, 28 were male (54.9%), with a mean age of 49.3 years. History of cholangitis was observed in 15 (29.4%). The types of intrahepatic lithiasis were type I in 39 (76.5%) and type IIb in 12 (23.5%), with additional type Ea in six (11.8%). Liver function test were normal in 42 patients (82.4%). Segmental atrophy was observed in 12 (23.5%). Treatments included left lateral sectionectomy in 24 (47.1%), left hepatectomy in 14 (27.5%) and right hepatectomy in eight (15.7%), with associated hepaticojejunostomy in four (7.8%). Laparoscopic liver resection was performed in eight (15.7%). Postoperative complications were observed in 20 (39.2%) with no mortality. Conclusion: Liver resection in patients with hepatolithiasis is the ideal procedure as it removes stones, stricture, atrophic parenchyma, and minimizes the risk of cholangiocarcinoma.