High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: is it time to abandon standard ablative percutaneous treatments?

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis (1). Despite recent advances in early detection programs and the diffusion of surveillance protocols in patients with cirrhosis, only 30% to 40% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage and can benefit from radical therapies (1).