Postoperative adjuvant arterial chemoembolization improves survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with risk factors for residual tumor： A retrospective control study

AIM: To evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with or without risk factors for the residual tumor. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 1998, 549 consecutive HCC patients undergoing surgical resection were included in this research. There were 185 patients who underwent surgical resection with adjuvant TACE and 364 patients who underwent surgical resection only. Tumors with a diameter more than 5 cm, multiple nodules, and vascular invasion were defined as risk factors for residual tumor and used for patient stratification. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival curve and Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of adjuvant TACE.RESULTS: In the patients without any risk factors for the residual tumor, the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 93.48%,75.85%, 62.39% in the control group and 97.39%, 70.37%,50.85% in the adjuvant TACE group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the survival between two groups (P = 0.3956). However, in the patients with risk factors for residual tumor, postoperative adjuvant TACE significantly prolonged the patients‘ survival. There was a statistically significant difference in survival between two groups (P= 0.0216). The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 69.95%, 49.86%, 37.40% in the control group and 89.67%,61.28%, 44.36% in the adjuvant TACE group, respectively. Cox proportional hazard model showed that tumor diameter and cirrhosis, but not the adjuvant TACE, were the significantly independent prognostic factors in the patients without risk factors for residual tumor. However, in the patients with risk factors for residual tumor adjuvant TACE, and also tumor diameter, AFP level, vascular invasion, were the significantly independent factors associated with the decreasing risk for patients‘ death from HCC. CONCLUSION: Postoperative adjuvant TACE can prolong the survival of patients with risk factors for residual tumor,but can not prolong the survival of patients without risk factors for residual tumor.     

肿瘤切除前TACE对巴塞罗那临床肝癌分期B期患者预后的影响

目的探讨肿瘤切除术前行经皮股动脉穿刺肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）对巴塞罗那临床肝癌（BCLC）分期B期患者预后的影响。方法对309例首次行肝癌切除术的BCLC分期B期患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据术前是否行TACE分为联合组和手术组,用两独立样本t检验和PearsonX2检验比较两组一般临床资料,用Log—rank检验和Cox比例风险回归模型比较两组生存率。结果两组一般临床资料无统计学差异（P〉0．05）;联合组和手术组中位生存期分别为36、26个月,组间比较P〈0．05（X2=9．226）;治疗方式、肿瘤直径、手术切缘和血清AFP水平是影响患者生存率的危险因素（P〈0．05）,且治疗方式是影响患者预后的独立危险因素（RR为1．576,95％CI为1．157—2．146,P=0．004）。结论对于BCLC分期B期患者,在切除术前给予辅助性TACE治疗有望延长术后生存时间。     

肝细胞癌根治术后辅助性肝动脉化疗栓塞对远期复发的影响

目的 研究肝细胞癌根治术后早期(术后2个月内)行辅助性肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)对远期复发的影响.方法 2001-2007年行根治性手术切除的2436例肝细胞癌患者纳入本研究.根据术后是否行辅助性TACE治疗分为对照组和干预组;再根据肿瘤直径、数目以及有无镜下癌栓将入选病例分为肿瘤≤5 cm的复发低危、高危组以及肿瘤>5 cm的复发低危、高危组.肿瘤单个且无镜下癌栓为复发低危;否则为复发高危.研究辅助性TACE对各亚组患者远期(>2年)复发的影响.连续性变量用Student't检验比较;分类变量用χ2检验比较;用Kaplan-Meier法统计算生存率和复发率,用Log-rank法比较;用Cox回归模型分析影响患者远期预后的因素. 结果 对照组与干预组术后2年的复发率,在肿瘤≤5 cm的复发低危组分别为20.38%和25.41%,高危组分别为33.06%和39.61%;在肿瘤>5 cm的复发低危组分别为30.54%和40.55%,高危组分别为50.82%和51.57%;各对照组与干预组间的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).术后2年内发生复发或死亡患者的中位生存时间,肿瘤>5 cm的复发高危组中,对照组和干预组分别为12个月比24个月;仅在该亚组中,对照组与干预组间生存率差异有统计学意义(χ2=17.59,P<0.01).术后2年内未发生复发和死亡患者的复发率在各对照组与干预组间的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);但在肿瘤≤5 cm的复发低危组中,术后3、4、5年的生存率在对照组分别为93.95%、91.50%、88.42%,在干预组分别为91.70%、81.32%、78.19%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=7.48,P<0.05);其他亚组中对照组和干预组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).Cox分析结果 显示,辅助性TACE不是影响远期复发的独立危险因素,但有增加影响这些患者死亡的趋势(HR=1.50,P>0.05).结论 辅助性TACE能够对术后残癌及早期复发灶进行及时诊治,但不能延缓或预防远期复发.对低复发风险(主要是肿瘤≤5 cm的复发低危组)患者给予辅助性TACE治疗可能是弊大于利.     

The Effect of Postoperative TACE on Prognosis of HCC with Microscopic Venous Invasion

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with microscopic venous invasion. Methodology: Data from 76 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy with or without postoperative adjuvant TACE between July 2005 and August 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival between the groups and prognostic factors were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The 1-, 3- and 5-year disease- free survival rates were 76.3%, 44.5% and 31.8%, respectively, for the adjuvant TACE group (35 patients) and 60.1%, 39.3% and 21.5%, respectively, for the control group (41 patients). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 88.6%, 67.2% and 42.3%, respectively, for the TACE group and 77.5%, 58.0% and 40.5%, respectively, for the control group. Although improving trends of both disease-free survival and overall survival were observed in adjuvant TACE group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that tumor size and differentiation were significant independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Postoperative adjuvant TACE may improve 1, 3 and 5 year disease-free and overall survival rates of HCC patients with microscopic venous invasion but no statistical significance was found. It can be used as a preventative treatment but not a routine procedure for such patients.     

肝细胞癌患者外科手术根治术后生存分析

目的 探讨肝细胞癌（HCC）患者行外科手术切除后5年生存情况的独立影响因素。方法 收集我院2008年10月~2010年10月收治的112例接受外科手术治疗的HCC患者的临床资料,行腹部CTA检查,观察患者相关临床指标,运用Cox风险比例回归模型进行单因素和多因素分析,得出独立影响因素,运用Kaplan-Meier 法和Log-Rank 检验比较这些因素在生存曲线分布上的变化情况。结果多因素Cox回归模型分析结果 显示,微血管浸润、肿瘤数目、肿瘤大小、肿瘤细胞分化程度和术后行肝动脉灌注化疗栓塞术（TACE）为影响此类患者生存情况的独立影响因素,其OR值分别为2.61、2.57、2.01、1.37、0.31,Kaplan-Meier 法和Log-Rank 检验显示38例TACE治疗组1 a、3 a、5 a累计生存率分别为90.6%、83.2%、80.5%,显著高于74例未行TACE治疗组的88.2%、41.5%、30.9%（P<0.05）。结论 肝癌根治术后给予TACE治疗可提高HCC患者生存率,延长生存期,有助于改善患者预后。     

Appropriate treatment strategies improve survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM:To evaluate the survival benefits of different treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)and to determine the prognosis factors.METHODS:Between 2007 and 2009,338 HCC patients treated for PVTT were retrospectively studied.The patients were divided into 4 groups that underwent different treatments:the conservative treatment group(n=75),the transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)group(n=86),the hepatic resection group(n=90),and the hepatic resection associated with postoperative TACE group(n=87).Survival rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences between the groups were identified through log-rankanalysis.Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for survival.RESULTS:The mean survival periods for patients in the conservative treatment,TACE,hepatic resection and hepatic resection associated with postoperative TACE groups were 3.8,7,8.2 and 15.1 mo,respectively.Significant differences were observed in the survival rates.For the surgical resection associated with postoperative TACE group,the survival rates after 1,2 and3 years were 49%,37%and 19%,respectively.These results were significantly higher than those of the other groups(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the 1,2 and 3 year survival rates for the surgical resection group were 28%,20%and 15%,whereas those for the TACE group were17.5%,0%and 0%,respectively.These values significantly increased after hepatic resection compared with those after TACE(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Surgical resection is the most effective therapeutic strategy for HCC patients with PVTT and results in high hepatic functional reserve.For patients who can tolerate the procedure,postoperative TACE is necessary to prevent recurrence and prolong the survival period.     

肝细胞癌自发性破裂出血的治疗对策选择（附30例报告）

目的探讨肝细胞癌（HCC）自发破裂出血患者在治疗对策上的选择。方法对本院2008年1月-2011年12月收治的30例HCC破裂出血患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,其中行Ⅰ期手术9例,急诊经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）治疗21例,TACE治疗后再手术切除10例,其余11例均为单纯TACE治疗,从临床治疗效果进行评价分析。计数资料比较采用卡方检验或Fisher′s检验。结果21例经急诊TACE治疗者止血成功率为100%,其中10例患者TACE治疗后2~5周内进行Ⅱ期手术,术后病理证实均为HCC,术后3个月复查均未见腹腔肿瘤种植转移灶,术后1 年存活率70%（7/10）; 9例行Ⅰ期手术切除的患者中,围手术期内死亡2例,3个月内发生腹腔或切口种植转移者5例（5/7）,术后1 年存活率44.4%（4/9）;11例单纯TACE治疗患者术后1 年存活率为27.3%（3/11）。急诊TACE联合手术切除HCC破裂出血在提高抢救成功率、减少术后并发症及提高患者生存时间上均优于急诊手术切除及单纯的TACE治疗。结论HCC自发性破裂出血患者应首选急诊TACE治疗,再联合手术切除,可以明显提高抢救成功率和手术切除率,并可显著降低肿瘤腹腔种植转移率,延长患者生存时间。     

肝动脉化疗栓塞对肝癌术后高危复发患者的疗效分析

目的 探讨原发性肝癌切除术后肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)的疗效.方法 将86例肝癌术后的高危复发患者分为干预组(TACE治疗组)和对照组(未行TACE治疗组).术后高危复发的标准为:①单发病灶>5 cm;②病灶数≥2处;③术后病理检查有镜下癌栓.符合其中任意一条为术后高危复发患者.干预组术后1～2月行TACE治疗.结果 ...     

Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: Propensity score analysis

AIM: To compare survival and recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who did or did not receive adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).METHODS: A consecutive sample of 229 patients who underwent curative resection between March 2007 and March 2010 in our hospital was included. Of these 229 patients, 91 (39.7%) underwent curative resection followed by adjuvant TACE and 138 (60.3%) underwent curative resection alone. In order to minimize confounds due to baseline differences between the two patient groups, comparisons were conducted between propensity score-matched patients. Survival data and recurrence rates were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent predictors of overall survival and recurrence were identified using Cox proportional hazard regression.RESULTS: Among 61 pairs of propensity score-matched patients, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 95.1%, 86.7%, and 76.4% in the TACE group and 86.9%, 78.5%, and 73.2% in the control group, respectively. At the same time, the TACE and control groups also showed similar recurrence rates at 1 year (13.4% vs 24.8%), 2 years (30.6% vs 32.1%), and 3 years (40.1% vs 34.0%). Multivariate Cox regression identified serum alpha-fetoprotein level ≥ 400 ng/mL and tumor size > 5 cm as independent risk factors of mortality (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: As postoperative adjuvant TACE does not improve overall survival or reduce recurrence in HCC patients, further study is needed to clarify its clinical benefit.     

Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after radical hepatectomy: a real world study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of the adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical resection, and identify the potential beneficiaries.

Methods: Patients were identified through the primary liver cancer big data (PLCBD) between 2012 and 2015. Overall survival (OS) between adjuvant TACE group and non-TACE was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier before and after propensity scoring match (PSM). Subgroup analysis was conducted stratified by risk factors.

Results: A total of 2066 HCC patients receiving radical resection were identified. Patients with multiple tumors, tumor diameter >5?cm, satellite, and advanced stage were more likely to accept adjuvant TACE. Before PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates in the TACE group and non-TACE group were 89%, 58%, 17%, and 88%, 53%, 13% (p?=?.43), respectively. While, the corresponding rates were 89%, 58%, 17%, and 86%, 49%, 11%, (p?=?.038), respectively after 1:1 PSM. In addition, patients were found to significantly benefit from adjuvant TACE if they had age ≥50?years, no cirrhosis, AFP ≤ 200?ng/ml, surgical margin <1?cm, tumor diameter >5?cm, no capsule, no satellite, or CN stage Ib/IIa (all p?<?.05), but patients with age < 50?years, tumor size ≤5?cm, or CN stage Ia were found to significantly benefit from radical resection in DFS (all p?<?.05).

Conclusion: Currently, we concluded that not all of patients with HCC would benefit from adjuvant TACE. Patients with age ≥50?years, tumor size >5?cm, or CN stage Ib/IIa were strongly recommended to receive adjuvant TACE.     

Novel biomarkers GEP/ABCB5 regulate response to adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) is the most commonly used adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) after curative resection. Responses to TACE are variable due to tumor and patient heterogeneity. We had previously demonstrated that expression of Granulin-epithelin precursor(GEP) and ATP-dependent binding cassette(ABC)B5 in liver cancer stem cells was associated with chemoresistance. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between GEP/ABCB5 expression and response to adjuvant TACE after curative resection for HCC. Methods: Patients received adjuvant TACE after curative resection for HCC and patients received curative resection alone were identified from a prospectively collected database. Clinical samples were retrieved for biomarker analysis. Patients were categorized into 3 risk groups according to their GEP/ABCB5 status for survival analysis: low(GEP-/ABCB5-), intermediate(either GEP +/ABCB5-or GEP-/ABCB5 +) and high(GEP +/ABCB5 +). Early recurrence(recurrence within 2 years after resection) and disease-free survival were analyzed. Results: Clinical samples from 44 patients who had followed-up for more than 2 years were retrieved for further biomarker analysis. Among them, 18 received adjuvant TACE and 26 received surgery alone. Patients with adjuvant TACE in the intermediate risk group was associated with significantly better overall survival and 2-year disease-free survival than those who had surgery alone( P = 0.036 and P = 0.011, respectively). Adjuvant TACE did not offer any significant differences in the early recurrence rate, 2-year disease-free survival and overall survival for patients in low and high risk groups. Conclusions: Adjuvant TACE can only provide survival benefits for patients in the intermediate risk group(either GEP +/ABCB5-or GEP-/ABCB5 +). A larger clinical study is warranted to confirm its role in patient selection for adjuvant TACE.     

Comparison of hepatic resection and transarterial chemoembolization for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To compare the outcomes of hepatic resection and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system.METHODS: A consecutive sample of 540 patients with solitary HCC who underwent liver resection (n = 312) or TACE (n = 128) were included in the present study. Baseline characteristics, tumor characteristics, and post-operative complications were compared between the two groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for long-term survival analysis. Independent prognostic predictors were identified using the Cox proportional hazards model (univariate and multivariate analyses).RESULTS: The TACE and liver resection groups had similar baseline demographic and clinicopathological characteristics. The TACE group showed a significantly lower rate of major complications than the liver resection group (3.9% vs 17.4%, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that TACE did not contribute to poor overall survival compared with liver resection; however, a solitary tumor diameter of greater than 6 cm should be considered a risk factor for poor overall survival (HR = 1.328, 95%CI: 1.002-1.783, P = 0.048). The liver resection and TACE groups had comparable overall survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years (86.2%, 62.8%, and 44.0% vs 88.3%, 59.8%, and 40.6%, respectively, P = 0.419). In cases with tumor diameters equal to or less than 6 cm, the liver resection group showed a survival benefit compared with the TACE group at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years (P = 0.030). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of HCC cases with tumor diameters of more than 6 cm were similar among the liver resection and TACE groups (P = 0.467).CONCLUSION: A tumor diameter of 6 cm should be the cutoff for deciding between liver resection and TACE.     

介入治疗结合大分割三维适形放射治疗原发性肝癌的疗效评价

目的　评价肝动脉化疗栓塞 (TACE)结合大分割三维适形放射治疗 (3 DCRT)肝细胞癌(HCC)的疗效。方法　 1 998年 5月至 1 999年 1 2月 ,81例不能手术切除的HCC患者 ,采用非随机分组方法 ,综合治疗组 4 1例采用TACE结合大分割 3 DCRT ,对照组 4 0例单独行TACE治疗 ,观察近期疗效 ,生存分析用Kaplan Meier法 ,两组生存率比较采用Log rank检验 ,综合治疗组多因素分析采用Cox比例风险模型。结果　综合治疗组和对照组肿瘤缓解率分别为 85 .4 %和 6 5 .0 % (P <0 .0 5 ) ,1、2、3年生存率分别为 90 .2 %、75 .6 %、4 4 .6 %和 89.7%、5 8.7%、2 4 .0 % ,两组生存率比较差异有显著性 (P=0 .0 4 39)。两组中位生存期分别为 36和 2 7个月。综合治疗组中 ,Child分级、临床分期及肿瘤直径是影响预后的主要因素 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　综合治疗组较对照组有较好的疗效。综合治疗组中Child分级、临床分期、肿瘤直径对患者的预后有重要影响     

大肝癌的消融治疗

肝癌是我国最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,当单个肿瘤直径大于5 cm时定义为大肝癌。大肝癌具有肿瘤恶性程度高、易出现肿瘤转移和血管浸润等特点,增加了治疗的难度。外科切除是大肝癌首选的治疗方案,但仅有20%~30%的患者符合手术治疗要求。对于不可切除的大肝癌国内外指南推荐经肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)作为治疗方案,TACE可以控制肿瘤进展并延长患者生存时间,但反复多次的TACE治疗疗效有限,且对患者肝功能造成严重损害,单独的TACE治疗已无法满足临床需求。随着肿瘤消融技术如射频、微波和冷冻消融等不断发展,TACE联合肿瘤消融治疗已成为大肝癌治疗中的一个重要治疗手段。然而目前国内外关于大肝癌消融治疗的疗效仍有较多的争议,因此如何选择合适的消融时机,减少消融术后残留,降低消融术后肿瘤的复发,最终使患者生存获益是目前临床和科研仍需继续探讨的难题。针对以上内容,综述并分析了大肝癌消融治疗的现况、困境及未来发展趋势。     

Comprehensive treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in major portal vein

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation(TACE) compared with surgical intervention and sorafenib for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with tumor thrombus extending to the main portal vein.METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, a total of 418 HCC patients with tumor thrombus extending to the main portal vein were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups. These groups underwent different treatments as follows: TACE(n = 307), surgical intervention(n = 54), sorafenib(n = 15) and palliativetreatment(n = 42). Overall survival rates were determined by Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between the groups were identified through log-rank analysis. Cox's proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for survival.RESULTS: The mean survival periods for patients in the TACE, surgical intervention, sorafenib and palliative treatment groups were 10.39, 4.13, 5.54 and 2.82 mo, respectively. For the TACE group, the 3-, 6-, 12-and 24-mo survival rates were 94.1%, 85.9%, 51.5% and 0.0%, respectively. The corresponding rates were 60.3%, 22.2%, 0.0% and 0.0% for the surgical intervention group and 50.9%, 29.5%, 0.0% and 0.0% for the sorafenib group. Evidently, the results in the TACE group were significantly higher than those in the other groups(P 0.0001). Furthermore, no significant difference among survival rates was observed between TACE with/without sorafenib(10.22 mo vs 10.52 mo, P = 0.615). No significant difference in survival rates was also found among the surgical intervention, sorafenib and palliative treatment groups(P 0.05). These values significantly increased after TACE with/without sorafenib compared with other treatments(P 0.05).CONCLUSION: For HCC patients with tumor thrombus extending to the main portal vein, TACE can yield a higher survival rate than surgical intervention or sorafenib treatment.     

Role of surgical resection for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas

AIM:To clarify the role of surgical resection for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs)compared to transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and liver transplantation(LT). METHODS:Among the HCC patients who were managed at Yonsei University Health System between January 2003 and December 2008,160 patients who met the following criteria were retrospectively enrolled:(1) two or three radiologically diagnosed HCCs;(2)no radiologic vascular invasion;(3)Child-Pugh class A;(4) main tumor smaller than 5 cm in diameter;and(5) platelet count greater than 50 000/mm3.Long-term outcomes were compared among the following three treatment modalities:surgical resection or combined radiofrequency ablation(RFA)(n=36),TACE(n=107), and LT(n=17).The survival curves were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with a log-rank test.To identify the patients who gained a survival benefit from surgical resection,we also investigated prognostic factors for survival following surgical resection.Multivariate analyses of the prognostic factors for survival were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS:The overall survival(OS)rate was significantly higher in the surgical resection group than in the TACE group(48.1%vs 28.9%at 5 years,P<0.005). LT had the best OS rate,which was better than that of the surgical resection group,although the difference was not statistically significant(80.2%vs 48.1%at 5 years,P=0.447).The disease-free survival rates were also significantly higher in the LT group than in the surgical resection group(88.2%vs 11.2%at 5 years, P<0.001).Liver cirrhosis was the only significant prognostic factor for poor OS after surgical resection. Clinical liver cirrhosis rates were 55.6%(20/36)in the resection group and 93.5%(100/107)in the TACE group.There were 19 major and 17 minor resections. En bloc resection was performed in 23 patients,multisite resection was performed in 5 patients,and combined resection with RFA was performed in 8 patients. In the TACE group,only 34 patients(31.8%)were record     

Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Bile Duct Tumor Thrombus: A Clinicopathological Analysis of Factors Predictive of Recurrence and Outcome After Surgery

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) is a rare entity, most patients experience tumor recurrence even after curative resection and the prognosis remains dismal. This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological risk factors for recurrence and poor outcome after surgical treatment of HCC with BDTT.Clinicopathological data of 37 patients with HCC and BDTT who underwent surgical treatment from July 2005 to June 2012 at the authors’ hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Prognostic factors and potential risk factors for recurrence were assessed by Cox proportional hazard model and binary logistic regression model, respectively.Among the 37 patients, anatomical and nonanatomical liver resection was performed in 26 and 11 patients, respectively. The resection was considered curative in 19 patients and palliative in 18 patients. Also, 21 cases had tumor recurrence after operation and 7 cases of them were reoperated. Multivariate binary logistic regression model revealed that surgical curability was the only independent risk factor associated with postoperative tumor recurrence (P = 0.034). In addition, postoperative overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 64.2%, 38.9%, and 24.3%, respectively. Cox multivariate analysis indicated that surgical curability and tumor recurrence were independent prognostic factors for both overall survival and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.05).Although patients with HCC and BDTT had a relatively high rate of early recurrence after surgery, relatively favorable long-term outcome after curative hepatic resection could be achieved. Therefore, extensive and curative surgical treatment should be recommended when complete resection can be achieved and liver functional reserve is satisfactory.     

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization for barcelona clinic liver cancer stage A/B hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the milan criteria: a propensity score matching analysis

BackgroundDebate continues about the benefits of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the impact of preoperative TACE on long-term outcomes after curative resection for HCC beyond the Milan criteria.MethodsPatients who underwent HCC resection exceeding the Milan criteria without macrovascular invasion between 2015 and 2018 were identified (n = 393). Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between patients who underwent preoperative TACE and patients who did not before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Factors associated with recurrence after resection were analyzed.Results100 patients (25.4%) underwent preoperative TACE. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were comparable with patients who underwent primary liver resection. 7 patients (7.0%) achieved total necrosis with better RFS compared with patients who had an incomplete response to TACE (P=0.041). PSM created 73 matched patient pairs. In the PSM cohort, preoperative TACE improved RFS (P=0.002) and OS (P=0.003). The maximum preoperatively diagnosed tumor diameter (HR 3.230, 95% CI: 1.116–9.353; P=0.031) and hepatitis B infection (HR 2.905, 95%CI: 1.281–6.589; P=0.011) were independently associated with favorable RFS after HCC resection.ConclusionPreoperative TACE made no significant difference to perioperative complications and was correlated with an improved prognosis after surgical resection for patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria.     

Adjuvant sorafenib after heptectomy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma patients

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant sorafenib after curative resection for patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: Thirty-four HCC patients, classified as BCLC-stage C, received adjuvant sorafenib for high-risk of tumor recurrence after curative hepatectomy at a tertiary care university hospital. The study group was compared with a case-matched control group of 68 patients who received curative hepatectomy for HCC during the study period in a 1:2 ratio.RESULTS: The tumor recurrence rate was markedly lower in the sorafenib group (15/34, 44.1%) than in the control group (51/68, 75%, P = 0.002). The median disease-free survival was 12 mo in the study group and 10 mo in the control group. Tumor number more than 3, macrovascular invasion, hilar lymph nodes metastasis, and treatment with sorafenib were significant factors of disease-free survival by univariate analysis. Tumor number more than 3 and treatment with sorafenib were significant risk factors of disease-free survival by multivariate analysis in the Cox proportional hazards model. The disease-free survival and cumulative overall survival in the study group were significantly better than in the control group (P = 0.034 and 0.016, respectively).CONCLUSION: Our study verifies the potential benefit and safety of adjuvant sorafenib for both decreasing HCC recurrence and extending disease-free and overall survival rates for patients with BCLC-stage C HCC after curative resection.     

经肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗肝细胞癌的预后影响因素分析

目的探讨中晚期肝细胞癌(HCC)患者行肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)的预后影响因素。方法回顾性分析南京医科大学附属淮安第一医院2007年5月-2012年5月收治的124例行TACE治疗的中晚期HCC患者的临床资料。应用Kaplan-Meier法计算累积生存率,Log-rank法进行检验;各影响因素行单因素Cox分析,再用多因素Cox逐步回归分析。结果 124例患者均获得随访,随访时间为3~40个月,患者0.5、1、2、3年累积生存率分别为97.6%、74.2%、15.5%、4.1%,中位生存时间为482 d。单因素分析显示,术前血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平、肿瘤大小、有无门静脉癌栓、肿瘤临床分期是HCC患者TACE预后的影响因素(P值均0.001);进一步多因素Cox逐步回归分析显示,肿瘤大小、肿瘤临床分期、术前血清AFP水平、门静脉癌栓是HCC患者TACE预后的独立危险因素(Wald值分别为7.428、7.699、15.235、5.803,P值均0.05)。结论肿瘤大小、肿瘤临床分期、术前血清AFP水平、有无门静脉癌栓是HCC患者TACE预后的独立危险因素,对临床判断预后及治疗方案的选择有指导意义。