Correlation of Clinicopathologic Features of Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype

Clinicopathologic findings in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicating hepatitis C virus and outcomes after liver resection were compared between different viral genotypes. One hundred and forty-seven patients with both anti-hepatitis C virus antibody and hepatitis C virus RNA in their sera underwent curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in our department between 1991 and 1997. Of these patients, 115 were infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b (group 1), and 32 were infected with 2a or 2b (group 2). Clinicopathologic findings and outcomes after operation were compared between the two groups. Alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Genotypes did not differ concomitantly with histopathologic features of the carcinoma or adjacent hepatic tissue. Although the tumor-free survival rate did not differ significantly between the two groups, recurrence was not detected during the period beyond 3 years following operation in group 2, while recurrences arose during that period in 16 group 1 patients, most of whom continued to manifest active hepatitis. In 7 of these 16 patients, the recurrent tumors were histologically multicentric in origin. The cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in group 1 than 2. Multivariate analysis indicated that genotype 1b was an independent risk factor for short survival. Patients infected with genotype 1b may have a relatively high risk of ongoing hepatocarcinogenesis and more aggressive progression of associated liver dysfunction, resulting in a poorer outcome than with other genotypes.