Artificial intelligence and its role in guiding liver-directed therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Is it ready for prime time?

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an innovative discipline in medicine, impacting both hepatology and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery, ensuring reliable outcomes because of its repeatable and efficient algorithms. A considerable number of studies about the efficiency of AI in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been published. While its diagnostic role is well recognized, providing large amounts of quantitative radiological HCC features, its use in HCC treatment is still debated. Innovative use of AI may help to select the best approach for each patient as it is able to predict the outcomes after resection and/or other treatments. In this review, we assess the role of AI in selecting the best therapeutic option and predicting long-term risks after surgical or interventional treatments for HCC patients. Further studies are needed to consolidate AI applications.