Results of resection and transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis and noncirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Both liver resection (LR) and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are surgical treatment options depending on the size of the tumor and the presence of cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is the main reason for the high early postoperative mortality after resection. Even in the Child A stage, extensive resections are not recommended. This study presented the results of surgical treatment (LR or OLT) for HCC in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic livers. We analyzed the data of 76 patients who underwent LR or OLT for HCC from January 2001 to December 2006. In noncirrhotic livers the following resections were performed: 30 right and extended right hemihepatectomies (54.5%); 11 left hemihepatectomies (20%); and 14 mono- or bisegmentectomies (25.5%). In cirrhotic livers the following procedures were performed: in Child A stage 1 right hemihepatectomy, 1 extended right hemihepatectomy, 1 extended left hemihepatectomy, and 4 mono- or bisegmentectomies; and in Child B stage, 3 mono- or bisegmentectomies. Among 11 patients who underwent transplantation, tumors in 2 patients exceeded the Milan criteria. Five patients in the LR group were treated with transarterial chemoembolization before transplantation. LR for HCC in cirrhosis should be performed with caution; there were no long-term survivors in our data. Our study confirmed that OLT shows good long-term survival in early HCC stages. However, this may also be true for stages above the Milan criteria. For HCC in noncirrhotic livers, LR remains the treatment of choice, justifying an extensive surgical approach. Such an approach achieved favorable long term survivals.     

Survival and recurrence after hepatic resection of 386 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although hepatic resection is one of the most effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the longterm results of hepatic resection of this malignancy are far from satisfactory. The potential benefits of hepatectomy for patients with HCC have not been fully delineated. This study aimed to identify surgical outcomes of 386 consecutive patients with HCC undergoing hepatic resection. STUDY DESIGN: The retrospective study looked at records of 293 men and 93 women. The mean age was 63.2 years. Preoperative transarterial chemoembolizaton and portal vein embolization were performed in 138 patients (35.8%) and 8 patients (2.1%), respectively. Sixty-two patients (16.1 %) had major hepatectomy and the other 324 (83.9%) had minor hepatectomy. Thirty-seven of 386 patients (9.6%) had a noncurative operation. RESULTS: The 30-day (operative) mortality rate was 4.1%, and there were 11 additional late deaths (2.9%). Two hundred fourteen of 327 patients (65.4%) had recurrence after curative resection. Unfavorable factors for survival and recurrence were resection between 1983 and 1990, Child class B or C, cirrhosis, a high value of indocyanine green retention-15, a large amount of intraoperative blood loss, stage IV disease, positive surgical margin, vascular invasion, and postoperative complications. Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization increased the recurrence rate and showed no contribution to prognosis. Currently, 106 patients (27.5%) are alive: 7 (1.8%) after more than 10 years and 43 (11.1%) after more than 5 years. Mean and median overall survivals after operation were 38 months and 29 months, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year overall or disease-free survival rates after hepatic resection were 34.4% and 10.5% or 23.3% and 7.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The longterm survival rate after operation remains unsatisfactory mainly because of the high recurrence rate. Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization should be avoided because of a high risk of postoperative recurrence. Treatment strategies for recurrent HCC may play an important role in achieving better prognosis after operation, especially in patients with more than Child class B, cirrhosis, high values of indocyanine green retention-15, massive intraoperative blood loss, stage IV disease, positive surgical margin, vascular invasion, and postoperative complications.     

Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatitis B and C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Child B or C cirrhosis

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) in patients with hepatitis B and C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with Child B or C cirrhosis.

Methods

Between January 2004 and December 2013, LLR was performed in 232 patients with HCC. Of these, 141 patients also had pathologically proven cirrhosis. Sixteen patients with hepatitis B and C virus-related HCC with Child B or C cirrhosis were included in the study. Thirteen (81.3%) patients had Child B disease and three (18.8%) patients had Child C disease.

Results

The median operation time was 215 min, the median estimated blood loss was 350 mL, and the median hospital stay was eight days. Three patients (18.8%) experienced complications after surgery. There was no postoperative mortality or reoperation. The mean follow-up period was 51.6 months. HCC recurred in eight (50%) patients: seven intrahepatic recurrences and one extrahepatic recurrence. The treatments for recurrence were laparoscopic reoperation in one (6.3%) patient, trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) in one (6.3%) patient, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in one (6.3%) patient, and combined TACE and RFA in four (25%) patients. The five-year postoperative overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 84.4% and 41.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that LLR can be safely used in patients with hepatitis B and C virus-related HCC and Child B or C cirrhosis, with acceptable survival outcomes.     

Is There any Benefit from Expanding the Criteria for the Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Liver? Experience from a Developing Country

Background

Patients with large-size (>10?cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Child B cirrhosis are usually excluded from curative treatment, i.e., hepatic resection, because of marginal liver function and poor outcome. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the radiofrequency (RF)-assisted sequential “coagulate-cut liver resection technique” in expanding the criteria for resection of large HCC in cirrhotic livers with impaired liver function.

Methods

Forty patients with Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis underwent liver resection from December 1, 2001 to December 31, 2008. Of these, 20 patients (13 Child-Pugh A and 7 Child-Pugh B) with advanced stage HCC (stage B and C according to Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer Group) underwent major liver resection. The two groups were comparable in terms of patient age, liver cirrhosis etiology, tumor number, and size.

Results

All resections were performed without the Pringle maneuver. There was no significant difference found between the two groups regarding resection time, perioperative transfusion, postoperative complications, hospital stay, and day 7 values of hemoglobin and liver enzymes. Likewise, there was no significant difference found in the overall survival between Child A and Child B patients who underwent major liver resection

Conclusions

RF-assisted sequentional “coagulate-cut liver resection technique“ may be a viable alternative for management of patients with advanced HCC in cirrhotic liver with impaired function.     

Management of spontaneous bleeding due to hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous rupture is a life-threatening complication of HCC, occurring in 4.8-26% of cases. Liver failure is the main cause of death. Debates still remain on the most appropriate treatment in such patients because of the high operative mortality of emergency surgery and the high risk of rebleeding and less satisfying mid- and long-term results of nonoperative procedures like angiographic embolization. Early and long-term results of a surgically oriented treatment, based on prompt evaluation of the functional liver reserve and tumor resectability was retrospectively review-ed. METHODS: From January 1994 to December 2000, 11 patients (7 males and 4 female, mean age 66.2 (11.86 years) were treated for ruptured HCC, in 10 cases involving a cirrhotic liver. Seven patients underwent emergency surgery and 4 patients transcutaneous arterial embolization (TAE). Liver resection was performed in patients with preserved liver function, after ultrasonography and/or CT scan demonstrated hemoperitoneum and a single resectable liver tumour (5 cases). In one patient with cirrhosis, ultrasonography showed only hemoperitoneum. A bleeding nodule was discovered intraoperatively and resected in a liver with a multinodular HCC. Another patient under-went emergency resection after referral at our Unit with a surgical packing. In 4 cases with poor liver function and/or unresectable tumour TAE of the neoplasm was performed, in one case after surgical packing. Mortality, morbidity and patients survival after treatment were analyzed. All patients had at least 1 year follow-up. RESULTS: All patients underwent minor resection; 2 left lobectomies, 1 segmentectomy (VII), 1 bisegmentectomy (VII-VIII), and 3 wedge resections. Postoperative course was complicated by ascites in 5 cases and subphrenic abscess in one case. Four patients died 3, 4, 6 and 62 months after surgery; 3 patients are actually alive 22, 25, and 89 months after surgery. Four patients were submitted to TAE: all patients died within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: When ruptured HCC is suspected, preserved liver function (Child A-B7) and a resectable hepatic tumour are considered clear indications to surgery. Emergency liver resection achieved good early and long-term results. In cases of advanced liver disease or multinodular HCC a non-operative approach, like TAE, must be attempted. Surgical direct hemostasis or hepatic artery ligation must be reserved for patients with uncontrollable o recurrent bleeding after TAE.     

Percutaneous portal vein embolization increases the feasibility and safety of major liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in injured liver

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) on the long-term outcome of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in injured liver. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: On an healthy liver, PVE of the liver to be resected induces hypertrophy of the remnant liver and increases the safety of hepatectomy. On injured liver, this effect is still debated. METHODS: During the study period, 10 patients underwent preoperative PVE and 19 patients did not before resection of three or more liver segments for HCC in injured liver (cirrhosis or fibrosis). PVE was performed when the estimated rate of remnant functional liver parenchyma (ERRFLP) assessed by computed tomographic scan volumetry was less than 40%. RESULTS: In all patients, PVE was feasible. There were no deaths or complications. The ERRFLP after PVE was significantly increased compared with the pre-PVE value. Liver resection was performed after PVE in 9 of 10 patients, with surgical death and complication rates of 0% and 45%, respectively. PVE increased the number of resections of three or more segments by 47% (9/19). Overall actuarial survival rates with or without previous PVE (89%, 67%, and 44% vs. 80%, 53%, and 53% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively) and disease-free actuarial survival rates (86%, 64%, and 21% vs. 55%, 17%, and 17% at 1, 3, and 5 years respectively) after hepatectomy were comparable. CONCLUSION: With the use of PVE, more patients with previously unresectable HCC in injured liver can benefit from resection. Long-term survival rates are comparable to those after resection without PVE.     

Repeat Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Complicating Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicating primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is between 0.7% and 16%. Repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC complicating PBC is not usually performed and not published because this approach is not generally applicable due to liver dysfunction. We applied repeat liver resection for these diseases. Three patients were diagnosed with PBC. The first HCC was noted at a mean of 6 years (4–17 years) after diagnosis of PBC. The second HCC occurred at a mean of 2.5 years (0.4–3 years) after the first surgery. All patients were treated with curative resection on first and second surgery. The mean overall survival time after the first liver resection was 46 months. Repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC complicating PBC is an option and may improve the outcome.     

Long-term survival and pattern of recurrence after resection of small hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with preserved liver function: implications for a strategy of salvage transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the survival results and pattern of recurrence after resection of potentially transplantable small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in patients with preserved liver function, with special reference to the implications for a strategy of salvage transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Primary resection followed by transplantation for recurrence or deterioration of liver function has been recently suggested as a rational strategy for patients with HCC 5 cm or smaller and preserved liver function. However, there are no published data on transplantability after HCC recurrence or long-term deterioration of liver function after resection of small HCC in Child-Pugh class A patients. Such data are critical in determining the feasibility of salvage transplantation. METHODS: From a prospective database of 473 patients with resection of HCC between 1989 and 1999, 135 patients age 65 years or younger had Child-Pugh class A chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis) and transplantable small HCC (solitary < or =5 cm or two or three tumors < or = 3 cm). Survival results were analyzed and the pattern of recurrence was examined for eligibility for salvage transplantation based on the same criteria as those of primary transplantation for HCC. RESULTS: Overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 90%, 76%, 70%, and 35%, respectively, and the corresponding disease-free survival rates were 74%, 50%, 36%, and 22%. Cirrhosis and oligonodular tumors were predictive of worse disease-free survival. Patients with concomitant oligonodular tumors and cirrhosis had a 5-year overall survival rate of 48% and a disease-free survival rate of 0%, which were significantly worse compared with other subgroups. At a median follow-up of 48 months, 67 patients had recurrence and 53 (79%) of them were considered eligible for salvage transplantation. Decompensation from Child-Pugh class A to B or C without recurrence occurred in only six patients. CONCLUSIONS: For Child-Pugh class A patients with small HCC, hepatic resection is a reasonable first-line treatment associated with a favorable 5-year overall survival rate. A considerable proportion of patients may survive without recurrence for 5 or even 10 years; among those with recurrence, the majority may be eligible for salvage transplantation. These data suggest that primary resection and salvage transplantation may be a feasible and rational strategy for patients with small HCC and preserved liver function. Primary transplantation may be a preferable option for the subset of patients with oligonodular tumors in cirrhotic liver in view of the poor survival results after resection.     

Major Liver Resection for Large and Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Optimal management of large and locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a clinical challenge especially in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). We present our experience of major liver resection for large and locally advanced HCC. Prospectively collected data of patients with large and locally advanced HCC who underwent major liver resection between March 2011 and May 2015. The outcome measures of interest were the characteristics of tumor, surgical outcome, and overall as well as disease-free survival. Eighteen patients (14 male) with median age of 59 years (20 to 73 years) with good performance status underwent resection. Fifteen patients were in Child Pugh class A and three in class B. On contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan, four patients had lobar/segmental portal vein involvement, two patients had bilobar disease, and one had biliary obstruction. Seven patients underwent extended resection (>5 segments), five right hepatectomy, two modified right hepatectomy, one modified right hepatectomy with wedge resection of segment six, two left hepatectomy, and one left lateral sectionectomy. On histopathology, 12 were solitary and six were multiple, the median tumor diameter was 9 cm (5–18 cm). All 18 patients had R0 resection. Eight patients had cirrhosis, six had fibrosis, and four had chronic hepatitis. Vascular invasion was noticed in 12 and out of these, six had large-vessel embolization. Morbidity according to Clavien-Dindo class was grades 1–11, grades 2–5, grade 3B-1, and grades 5–1. After a median follow-up of 32 months (6–54 months), the overall survival at 1 and 3 years was 83 and 54 %, respectively. The disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years was 75 and 54 % respectively. In carefully selected patients with large and locally advanced HCC, acceptable perioperative and medium term outcomes can be achieved with major liver resection.     

早期肝癌的手术治疗:肝切除与肝移植比较

肝切除及肝移植被认为是可能治愈肝癌的主要方法.以往认为肝切除适合肝功能代偿良好的病人,而肝移植则适用肝功能不佳及肿瘤无法切除的病人.对于符合米兰标准的早期肝癌,哪种方式更适合?近年来,一些研究显示:肝移植病人在无瘤生存方面具有优势.但是由于肝移植相关并发症的存在,例如移植物排斥及免疫抑制等,在长期生存方面,肝移植并无明显优势.目前由于肝源紧张,肝癌病人在等待移植时,可能因肿瘤进展而失去移植机会.肝切除后补救性肝移植对于肝癌治疗同样是一个很好的策略.因此建议肝功能良好病人行肝切除治疗,必要时行补救性肝移植.如果等待肝源时间较短,可以选择肝移植而获得较好的无瘤生存.     

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Results of 229 consecutive patients during 11 years.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the results in 229 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were treated by radical hepatic resection in the past 11 years. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Due to marked advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, the therapeutic strategy for HCC has changed significantly. However, there are still many problems to be solved when hepatic resection is to be performed for HCC associated with chronic liver disease. A satisfactory result may be possible only when all of accurate operative indication, skillful surgical technique, and sophisticated postoperative management are met. METHODS: There were 188 men and 41 women. Age ranged from 32 to 79 years averaging 60.8. Underlying cirrhosis of the liver was found in 177 patients, and chronic hepatitis was found in 47 instances. Before surgery, 114 patients had 157 associated conditions; diabetes mellitus in 66, esophageal varices in 42, cholelithiasis in 22, peptic ulcer in 12, and miscellaneous in 15 cases. In addition to various types of hepatic resection, 69 patients underwent concomitant operations such as cholecystectomy, the Warren shunt, splenectomy, partial gastrectomy, and so forth. RESULTS: The 30-day (operative) mortality rate was 7.0%, and there were eight additional late deaths (3.5%). Child''s class, bromosulphalein (BSP) test, and the estimated blood loss during surgery were good predictors for operative death. The cumulative 5- and 10-year survival rates for all patients were 26.4% and 19.4%, respectively. At present, 110 patients are alive; 2 more than 10 years and 21 more than 5 years. Younger age, absence of cirrhosis, smaller tumor, and postoperative chemotherapy were associated with increased survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results of hepatic resection in 229 patients with HCC were analyzed. Child''s class, BSP test, and blood loss during surgery were good predictors for operative death. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 26.4% and 19.4%, respectively. Age, liver cirrhosis, tumor size, and postoperative chemotherapy were prognostic factors. Multidisciplinary approach with liver resection, postoperative chemotherapy, and liver transplantation will be a realistic direction for the surgical treatment of HCC in future.     

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients is increasing. Despite advances in imaging and laboratory screening which allow earlier diagnosis, the surgeon is all too often confronted with an HCC of advanced stage or arising in the setting of severe cirrhosis. Hepatic resection is still considered the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis. From 1998 to 2005, 6 patients (5 males, 1 female, age 52-70 years, mean age 64.1 years) with HCC associated severe, but well compensated liver cirrhosis (Child A-- 4 patients, Child B--2 patients) underwent 9 hepatic resection in our department. Mean tumor size was 56 mm (range 23-86 mm). Two of these lesions were in the left liver and four in the right lobe. Doppler ultrasonography was performed in all cases and CT in 3 cases to confirm the extension of the lesions. Laparoscopy was performed in 3 patients under CO2 pneumoperitoneum. The Pringle maneuver was not used. The transection of the liver parenchyma was obtained by the use of Ligasure and harmonic scalpel. Nine hepatic resections were performed: 7 segmentectomy and 2 non-anatomical resections. The resection margin was 1 cm. The mean operative time was 90 minutes (range 60-120). Mean blood loss was 250 ml and 2 patients required blood transfusion. One patient died on the tenth postoperative day from a severe respiratory distress syndrome and hepatic failure. Major morbidities occurred in three patients who developed moderate postoperative ascites, which resolved successfully with conservative treatment in two patients. Limited liver resection in cirrhotic patients with HCC is feasible with a low complication rate when careful selection criteria are followed (tumor size smaller than 8 cm, Child-Pugh A class and the good general conditions of the patients). Other medical and interventional treatments (chemoembolization, chemotherapy) can only slow the progress of HCC.     

Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience From Brazil

Introduction

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the treatment of choice of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients with cirrhosis, mainly those with early HCC. Herein we have present the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cirrhotic patients with HCC who underwent OLT from cadaveric donors in our institution.

Methods

From May 2001 to May 2009, we performed 121 OLT including 24 patients (19.8%) with cirrhosis and HCC within the Milan criteria. In 4 cases, HCC was an incidental finding in the explants.

Results

The patients' average age was 55 ± 10 years, including 82% men. Fifty percent of patients were Child class B or C. The average Model for End Stage Liver Disease for Child A, B, and C categories were 11, 15, and 18, respectively. The HCC diagnosis was made by 2 dynamic images in 16 cases; 1 dynamic image plus alphafetoprotein >400 ng/mL in 4; and 4 by histologic confirmation. Twenty patients received a locoregional treatment before OLT: 6 percutaneous ethanol injection, 9 transarterial chemoembolization, 1 transarterial embolization, and 4 a combination of these modalities. The median follow-up after OLT was 19.7 months (range, 1-51). A vascular invasion was observed in the explant of 1 patient, who developed an HCC recurrence and succumbed at 8 months after OLT. Two further patients, without vascular invasion or satellite tumor displayed tumor recurrences at 7 and 3 months after OLT, and death at 2 and 1 month after the diagnosis. The remaining 25 patients have not shown a tumor recurrence.

Conclusion

In the present evaluation, OLT patients with early HCC and no vascular invasion showed satisfactory results and good disease-free survival. Strictly following the Milan criteria for liver transplantation in patients with HCC greatly reduces but does not completely avoid, the chances of tumor recurrence.     

Multimodality management of hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 10 cm

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection for huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is challenging. The role of multimodality nonsurgical therapy for HCC larger than 10 cm is unclear. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively investigated 131 HCC patients with main tumors larger than 10 cm in diameter seen between October 1990 and October 2001. Fifty-six patients (group A) underwent hepatectomy and 75 patients (group B) underwent nonsurgical multidisciplinary therapy including hepatic arterial infusion, transcatheter arterial embolization, and percutaneous acetic acid injection. RESULTS: Patients in group B were older, had lower serum albumin levels, and there were more patients with liver cirrhosis and great vessel invasion. Median survivals of group A and B patients were 17 months and 7 months, respectively (p < 0.001). But the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates in group B using 38 patients undergoing 3 or more sessions of nonsurgical treatment were not significantly worse than those for group A using 53 patients with followup (57.1%, 19.0%, 16.3% versus 60.7%, 24.5%, 24.5%, respectively). Group A patients had 37.7% and 71.7% recurrence rates at 6 and 12 months, respectively, after operation, and they had a significantly higher frequency of overall extrahepatic recurrence compared with group B patients (43.4% versus 18.7%, p = 0.005). In group B, only 3 of 35 patients younger than 60 years had tumor shrinkage after nonsurgical treatment modalities in comparison to 17 of 40 patients in the elderly group (p = 0.003). Younger patients had a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen positivity (85.7% versus 47.5%) and infiltrating tumor growth pattern (74.3% versus 45.0%) compared with older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the advantage of hepatic resection in patients with huge HCC is marginal. An effective adjuvant therapy is needed to improve outcomes after hepatic resection. The experience in using nonsurgical treatment shows that the result is poor in young patients compared with that in elderly patients.     

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a Western experience

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-threatening presentation, with an incidence of <3% of HCC patients in Western countries. The reported overall mortality is < or =50% in Asian countries, where the incidence is 12% to 14%. The aim of this study was to report a single center's experience of patients with ruptured HCC during a 11-year period. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who presented with ruptured HCC between 1995 and 2005. Data on clinical features, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes were collected. Statistical methods included univariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates with log-rank test. RESULTS: A cohort of 21 patients (15 male and 6 female) was identified. Fourteen (66.6%) patients had histologic evidence of underlying cirrhosis, ad the median age at presentation was 68 years (interquartile range [IQR] 61 to 69). Ten of these patients (71.4%) were hemodynamically unstable at presentation. The mean tumor size was 8.5 cm (range 3 to 13), and there was multifocal disease in 6 (42.8%) patients. The etiology of cirrhosis was hepatitis B infection in 3, hepatitis C in 3, alcohol in 4, and cryptogenic in 4 patients. Initial bleeding control was attempted by transarterial embolization (TAE) in 7 (50%) and by emergency surgery in 7 patients (50%). Four of the operations were performed at referring hospitals, and 3 were performed at our institution. Two patients (14.2%) underwent palliative treatment only. Definitive treatment included resection at emergency surgery in 1, staged hepatectomy in 1, and transarterial chemoembolization in 2 patients. There were 7 patients who were noncirrhotic and had a median age of 51 years (IQR 42 to 60). Of these, 6 (87.5%) were hemodynamically unstable at presentation. Mean tumor size was 9 cm (range 6 to 18) and confined to right lobe in all patients. Primary hemostasis was successfully achieved by TAE in 2 and perihepatic packing in 1 patient. Definitive treatment was provided by emergency hepatectomy in 4 and staged hepatectomy in 3 patients. Patients with cirrhosis (n = 14) had a median survival rate of <30 days. Child-Pugh score at presentation (median 7, IQR 5 to 8) correlated strongly with overall survival (P <.0001). Median survival for noncirrhotic patients was 20 months (IQR 2 to 31). One patient without cirrhosis survived for 122 months without disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous rupture of HCC is an uncommon presentation in Western countries. Primary hemostasis, followed by emergency or staged hepatic resection, is the treatment of choice. Median survival in patients initially treated with surgery was better than that observed in patients who underwent initial TAE, although this was not statistically significant. Patients who had no underlying liver disease had better prognosis than those who had cirrhosis.     

Additional Hepatocellular Carcinomas Undetectable before Surgery

The presence of small additional hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) undetectable before hepatic resection is a crucial topic for hepatic surgeons. We assessed the incidence of pathologically diagnosed multiple HCCs in 267 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC. Ninety-five additional HCC nodules were detected in 72 of the patients (27%). The survival rate of these 72 patients was significant worse than for the 195 with single nodular HCC (p= 0.0013). Twenty-one (22%) were detected before surgery, 29 (31%) during surgery, and 45 (47%) on pathologic examination after surgery. The mean nodule diameters for each group were 2.1, 1.0, and 0.9 cm, respectively (p < 0.0001). None of the 21 nodules detected before surgery was well differentiated, whereas 30 of the 74 nodules in the other two groups were well-differentiated. Although the mean nodule diameter of the well-differentiated HCC group was the smallest, there was no significant difference among the three groups assigned according to tumor differentiation (p= 0.2355). Altogether, 9 of 16 patients with additional nodules detected before surgery (56%) and 49 of 59 with additional nodules detected during or after surgery (88%) had cirrhosis of the liver. The odds ratio for detecting a new HCC nodule during or after surgery in the presence of cirrhosis was 5.444 (p= 0.0087). Improvement in the detection of small additional HCC nodules before and during surgery and meticulous follow-up after surgery are necessary for patients with cirrhosis. For patients without cirrhosis, surgical treatment may be performed according to the results of preoperative imaging studies.     

Surgical resection versus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhotic liver

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the experience of 2 different surgical units in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis with resection or percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA), respectively. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: When allowed by the hepatic functional reserve, surgery is the therapy for HCC on cirrhosis; alternative treatments are proposed because of the high tumor recurrence rate after resection. RFA is being widely adopted to treat HCC. METHODS: Over a 4-year period, 79 cirrhotics with HCC underwent resection in 1 surgical unit (group A) and another 79 had RFA at a different unit (group B). Patient selection, operative mortality, hospital stay, and 1- and 3-year overall and disease-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Group A (surgery): mean follow-up was 28.9 +/- 17.9 months; operative mortality was 3.8%, mean hospital stay 9 days; 1- and 3-year survival were, respectively, 83 and 65%. One- and 3-year disease-free survival were 79 and 50%. Group B (RFA): mean follow-up was 15.6 +/- 11.7 months. Mean hospital stay was 1 day (range 1-8). One- and 3-year survival were 78 and 33%; 1- and 3-year disease-free survival were 60 and 20%. Overall and disease-free survival were significantly higher in group A (P = 0.002 and 0.001). The advantage of surgery was more evident for Child-Pugh class A patients and for single tumors of more than 3 cm in diameter. Results were similar in 2 groups for Child-Pugh class B patients CONCLUSIONS: RFA has still to be confirmed as an alternative to surgery for potentially-resectable HCCs.     

Multidisciplinary management of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a dramatic presentation of the disease. Most published studies are from Asian centers, and North American experience is limited. This study was under-taken to review the experience of ruptured HCC at a North American multidisciplinary unit. Thirty pa-tients presenting with ruptured HCC at a tertiary care center from 1985 to 2004 were studied retrospectively and analyzed according to the demographics, clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcome in four treatment groups: emergency resection, delayed resection (resection after angiographic embolization), transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), and conservative management. Ten, 10, 7, and 3 patients underwent emergency resection, delayed resection, TAE, and conservative treat-ment, respectively. The mean age of all patients was 57 years, and the mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh score was 7 ± 2. Cirrhosis was present in 57% of the patients. Seventy percent of tumors were greater than 5 cm in diameter, and 68% of patients had multiple tumors. There was a trend toward higher 30-day mortality in the emergency resection group than in the delayed resection group. One-year survival was significantly bet-ter in the delayed resection group. In selected patients, the multidisciplinary approach of angiographic em-bolization and delayed resection affords better short-term survival than emergency resection. Presented at the 2005 American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Congress, Hollywood, Florida, April 14–17, 2005.     

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular cancer in 110 patients with cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the treatment efficacy, safety, local tumor control, and complications related to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with cirrhosis and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Most patients with HCC are not candidates for resection because of tumor size, location, or hepatic dysfunction related to cirrhosis. RFA is a technique that permits in situ destruction of tumors by means of local tissue heating. METHODS: One hundred ten patients with cirrhosis and HCC (Child class A, 50; B, 31; C, 29) were treated during a prospective study using RFA. Patients were treated with RFA using an open laparotomy, laparoscopic, or percutaneous approach with ultrasound guidance to place the RF needle electrode into the hepatic tumors. All patients were followed up at regular intervals to detect treatment-related complications or recurrence of disease. RESULTS: All 110 patients were followed up for at least 12 months after RFA (median follow-up 19 months). Percutaneous or intraoperative RFA was performed in 76 (69%) and 34 patients (31%), respectively. A total of 149 discrete HCC tumor nodules were treated with RFA. The median diameter of tumors treated percutaneously (2.8 cm) was smaller than that of lesions treated during laparotomy (4.6 cm). Local tumor recurrence at the RFA site developed in four patients (3.6%); recurrent HCC subsequently developed in other areas of the liver in all four. New liver tumors or extrahepatic metastases developed in 50 patients (45. 5%), but 56 patients (50.9%) had no evidence of recurrence. There were no treatment-related deaths, but complications developed in 14 patients (12.7%) after RFA. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis and HCC, RFA produces effective local control of disease in a significant proportion of patients and can be performed safely with minimal complications.     

Good outcomes after resection of large hepatocellular carcinoma in the non-cirrhotic liver

BACKGROUND: The results of partial liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-cirrhotic livers are not well known. Therefore a retrospective study was conducted. METHODS: The medical records of 180 patients with HCC were reviewed. In 40 patients (22%), HCC occurred in a non-cirrhotic liver. A detailed analysis of these patients was performed. The diagnosis HCC was based on imaging and/or percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy. A biopsy of the remaining liver and peroperative findings documented the absence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients underwent partial liver resection. There was no surgical mortality. The median tumour diameter in the operated patients was 10 cm. Survival rates for operated patients at 1 and 5 years were 96 and 68%, respectively. Significant factors reducing survival were portal vein thrombosis, positive lymph nodes, microscopic vascular invasion and tumour recurrence. Tumour size at the initial moment of diagnosis was not of predictive value. After surgery with curative intent disease-free interval at 1 and 5 years were 86 and 56%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In selected patients without cirrhosis, HCC can be treated successfully by surgical resection, independent of the tumour diameter, with a 5-year survival rate of 68%.