Unit of Hepatic Oncology

The Unit, a national and international benchmark, includes specialists from all fields of knowledge involved in liver cancer (hepatology, radiology, surgery, oncology, pathological anatomy, nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology), as well as nurses who are experts in healthcare and health education. The Unit is known internationally as the BCLC (Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer).

Each year, around 250 new cases of patients with benign (adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia) or malignant liver tumours are seen. Most patients are diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, and a growing proportion of patients are diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Patients receive treatment and follow-up based on scientific evidence, and research projects are developed on epidemiological aspects, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing care. Each year, around 70% of patients with liver tumours begin treatment, and the options are applied sequentially depending on the progression of the disease. Overall, the Unit monitors nearly 3,200 patients.

The Unit specializes in the diagnosis of early-stage tumours using imaging techniques or biopsy, in prognostic assessment, and also in various treatments such as conventional and laparoscopic surgery, percutaneous ablation, chemoembolization, radioembolization, external radiotherapy, and systemic treatments. In addition, the Unit conducts clinical trials at different stages of the disease.

The research includes studies on molecular mechanisms and the evaluation of new technologies for the diagnosis and definition of tumour extension, new treatment options, patient experience, and nursing care.

There are currently 17 studies underway related to epidemiological aspects, diagnosis, or the evaluation of new technologies, and 13 clinical trials aimed at treating both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer.

The members of the Unit have six competitive projects with national and international public funding.

Moreover, some of the members of the Unit are part of various scientific or research organizations, such as the scientific committee of the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH), the Oncolliga, the Advisory Council of the Board of Directors of the International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA), and the Board of Directors of the Spanish Society for Abdominal Imaging Diagnosis (SEDIA) or the steering committee of CIBEREHD.

In addition, some members of the Unit actively participate as members of working groups in international scientific associations such as EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver), ERN Rare Liver (European Reference Network on Rare Diseases of the Liver), and national associations such as the Digestive Tumour Treatment Group and the Official College of Nurses of Barcelona. Among other things, the activities included in the working groups are the preparation of clinical practice guidelines at national and international levels and the organization of scientific conferences.

Furthermore, several members of the Unit are part of the editorial committees of international journals in their specialties.

The Unit is involved in healthcare, research, innovation, and teaching, and also organizes regular refresher courses on both healthcare and research organization. It also organizes training and information sessions for patients and caregivers, coordinated by advanced practice nurses.