State the Milan criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

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State the Milan criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tumor burden and absence of vascular invasion or spread to other organs determine whether a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma is a good candidate for liver transplantation. The Milan criteria set a clear threshold: one tumor up to 5 cm, or up to three tumors each no larger than 3 cm, with no macrovascular invasion and no extrahepatic (distant) disease. Staying within these limits has historically been associated with favorable post-transplant survival and low recurrence. This is why the precise Milan description is preferred: it balances tumor control with realistic transplant benefit. Larger tumors or any macrovascular invasion or distant spread tend to recur after transplant and diminish long-term success, which is why alternative, more expansive criteria are not part of the Milan standard.

Tumor burden and absence of vascular invasion or spread to other organs determine whether a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma is a good candidate for liver transplantation. The Milan criteria set a clear threshold: one tumor up to 5 cm, or up to three tumors each no larger than 3 cm, with no macrovascular invasion and no extrahepatic (distant) disease. Staying within these limits has historically been associated with favorable post-transplant survival and low recurrence.

This is why the precise Milan description is preferred: it balances tumor control with realistic transplant benefit. Larger tumors or any macrovascular invasion or distant spread tend to recur after transplant and diminish long-term success, which is why alternative, more expansive criteria are not part of the Milan standard.

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