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Lookup NU author(s): Valerie Dirjayanto
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Malnutrition is highly prevalent among people living with HCC and has a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality. Nutrition influences the development of HCC and is also a consequence of chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Routine screening and nutritional assessment using validated tools, along with evaluation of muscle mass and functional status, are essential in the optimal care of patients with HCC. Nutritional interventions may change throughout the disease trajectory depending on the stage of HCC, the severity of liver cirrhosis, and the overall treatment options and intent. Evidence supports the use of oral nutritional supplements, branched-chain amino acids, exercise interventions, and the preferential use of enteral over parenteral nutrition. Optimizing nutrition is integral to HCC management across all disease stages and is best accomplished with a multidisciplinary team to individualize the nutritional care across the disease continuum. In this review, we summarize current evidence on the impact and role of nutritional therapy in HCC and provide actionable recommendations for clinical practice. We highlight the current challenges and provide future directions for future HCC nutritional care pathways.
Author(s): Dirjayanto V, Yiu D, Chen R, Fan K
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Year: 2026
Volume: 41
Issue: 1
Pages: 78-95
Print publication date: 01/01/2026
Online publication date: 12/12/2025
Acceptance date: 17/11/2025
ISSN (print): 0815-9319
ISSN (electronic): 1440-1746
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc
URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.70186
DOI: 10.1111/jgh.70186
Data Access Statement: Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study
