Imaging in the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Imaging plays an essential role in the detection, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and surveillance of these patients. Reports to clinicians should include all pertinent diagnostic information for staging, including lesion size, number, location, and the presence of adenopathy, ascites, cirrhosis, vascular involvement, biliary tree involvement, and metastases. Despite advanced imaging techniques and the large number of therapeutic options, the 5-year survival rate remains dismal. Close surveillance with imaging now affords the opportunity to diagnose recurrences early and to apply the most effective therapy.