Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages—predominantly with a pro-tumoral role—hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.

Background and Clinical Significance: Currently, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. The most commonly employed method is phacoemulsification, a well-established procedure that uses ultrasound energy to fragment the lens, allowing for easier removal. Potential postoperative complications range from mild to severe corneal edema (pseudophakic bullous keratopathy), which may be caused by intraoperative endothelial cell damage, to the rare formation of iris cysts. Case Presentation: In this paper, we report the case of a patient who underwent cataract surgery in both eyes, where iris incarceration occurred during the surgical procedure, resulting in corneal edema and an iris cyst, both in the left eye. Secondary iris cysts are uncommon following phacoemulsification, with only a few cases reported in the recent literature. The cyst’s impact on corneal edema was unexpected, making this case particularly noteworthy and emphasizing the complexity of cataract surgery and its postoperative complications. Conclusions: This case illustrates the unique interaction between two infrequent complications of cataract surgery.