Dr. Kim on the Multidisciplinary Management of HCC

Joseph Kim, MD, professor of surgery and chief, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, discusses the multidisciplinary management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

When patients with HCC present to Markey Cancer Center, their case is discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board, Kim says. This is done in order for all health care professionals involved in the patient's treatment to present their expertise and formulate a treatment strategy.

It starts with the radiologist who interprets the imaging studies, followed by the pathologist who reviews the biopsy if one has been performed. Radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and surgeons, which may include transplant surgeons and hepatobiliary surgeons, are involved in the optimal management of this disease, making treatment multidisciplinary in nature, Kim concludes.