A high-functioning HCC tumor board can turn complex transplant decisions into coordinated treatment plans that account for liver reserve, tumor biology, and evolving biomarkers. In this episode of the BackTable Podcast 2026 HCC Creator Weekend™, abdominal transplant surgeon Dr. Ari Cohen (Ochsner Health) and transplant hepatologist Dr. Neil Mehta (UCSF) join host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy to map out strategies for effective multidisciplinary treatment and transplantation planning in HCC.

---

Get the BackTable app
https://www.backtable.com/app

---

This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Sirtex and Boston Scientific.

---

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
00:51 - Starting a Tumor Board
06:39 - Building Referral Streams
09:03 - Academic and Community Practice Integration
14:31 - Treatment Selection Criteria
20:38 - Modern HCC Biomarkers
25:24 - Role of ctDNA and Biopsy
29:37 - Bridging Therapy on Transplant Waitlist
32:34 - Downstaging Strategy and Risks
39:25 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

---

More about this episode

The physicians discuss what it takes to build a robust tumor board, from fostering hospital buy-in to engaging leaders across specialties and utilizing virtual formats for consistent participation. The conversation explores clinical decision-making, emphasizing the integration of AFP-L3 and DCP biomarkers alongside AFP to better understand tumor biology and predict post-transplant recurrence. Dr. Mehta and Dr. Cohen also share their patient selection criteria, discussing how bilirubin, liver disease etiology, and INR influence decisions. While radiographic guidance remains central to HCC management, they highlight the growing potential of reliable ctDNA analysis and other biomarkers. The specialists conclude by emphasizing that an integrated, communicative tumor board is the most effective way to navigate the nuances of liver reserve and HCC biology to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

---

Resources

Sustained AFP-L3 or DCP expression is associated with progression risk and inferior outcomes in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-025-01877-8

---

BackTable Vascular & Interventional (VI) is the go-to podcast for interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional cardiologists.

Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty.

► https://www.backtable.com/app