Liver resection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Liver resection and liver transplantation remain the only options for cure. Since the indications for orthotopic liver transplantation are limited, partial liver resection is the more common treatment. Recently, indications for liver resection have been expanded and there have been advances in the associated surgical techniques. This review describes the state-of-the-art of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Topics covered include: new indications, such as treatment of large tumors, bilobar tumors and those associated with vascular invasion; preoperative assessment of liver function; and surgical strategies. An overview of the most common staging systems, which are useful in predicting prognosis after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, is given.     

Liver resection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Liver resection and liver transplantation remain the only options for cure. Since the indications for orthotopic liver transplantation are limited, partial liver resection is the more common treatment. Recently, indications for liver resection have been expanded and there have been advances in the associated surgical techniques. This review describes the state-of-the-art of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Topics covered include: new indications, such as treatment of large tumors, bilobar tumors and those associated with vascular invasion; preoperative assessment of liver function; and surgical strategies. An overview of the most common staging systems, which are useful in predicting prognosis after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, is given.     

Adjuvant treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma after resection

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer, and surgical resection offers an opportunity for cure in patients fortunate enough to ...     

Radioimmunotherapy of human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts with 131I-labelled antiferritin antibody

The effects of 131-labelled antiferritin polyclonal antibody for the treatment of established hepatocellular carcinoma (HC-04) in athymic nude mice were evaluated. 131I-labelled antiferritin antibody localised specifically to a subcutaneous tumour with a mean of 8.1% of the infused dose per gram of tumour at 24 h after infusion when the experiment was started 15 days after inoculation and with a mean of about 6.5% of the infused dose per gram of tumour when the experiment was started 30 days after tumour transplantation. The concentrations of 131I-antiferritin antibody in tumour delivered a mean of 1994 cGy to tumour following infusion of 500 microCi of radiolabelled antiferritin antibody in the early group and a mean of 1600 cGy in the late group. Treatment with 500 microCi led to regression of the tumour in 55% of animals in the early group and 44% in the late group. In contrast, unlabelled antiferritin and 131I-labelled IgG failed to exert any significant effect on tumour growth. The transplanted tumours in the early groups of animals had relatively higher concentration of ferritin than those in the late group. There was accelerated inhibition of tumour growth and prolonged survival in animals in the early group compared with those in the late group.     

Paclitaxel in the multimodality treatment for inflammatory breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC) is a rare but aggressive form of breast carcinoma. Anthracycline-based regimens represent the standard of treatment for IBC. Reports of significant clinical activity of paclitaxel in metastatic breast carcinoma led the authors to investigate the role of this drug in the management of IBC. METHODS: Forty-four patients with IBC were enrolled between February 1994 and January 1998. The treatment plan consisted of induction chemotherapy (IC), mastectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Forty-two patients received IC with four cycles of fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. If the clinical response was less than partial, patients were "crossed over" to paclitaxel before mastectomy. All patients received adjuvant paclitaxel. Patients unresectable after paclitaxel were offered high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell support. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (81%) achieved an objective clinical remission; 3 patients (7%) achieved a clinical complete remission, 31 (74%) a partial remission. Six patients (14%) achieved pathologic complete remission. Sixteen patients were treated with paclitaxel, 7 of them (44%) were able to undergo mastectomy. Median time to progression (TTP) was 22 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 46 months. Concordance between clinical and pathologic response was documented in only 8 patients (24%). No differences in TTP and OS compared with a historical group of 178 IBC patients treated with anthracycline-based regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel improves tumor resectability in anthracycline-refractory IBC. The impact of paclitaxel on the prognosis of IBC needs to be better evaluated in future trials using more dose-intensive schedules of administration. New imaging modalities may contribute to improve assessment of response to IC.     

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan.

AIMS: We examined the clinical features and outcome of 80 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had undergone hepatic resection; 32 patients were under 30 years old (younger-HCC), and 48 patients were over 70 years (elderly-HCC).METHODS: Clinical features of 32 cases of younger-HCC (less than 30 years old) and 48 elderly-HCC (over 70 years old) were reviewed between 1986 and 1999. The clinical features, pathological findings and outcome of the younger and elderly HCC patients were summarized for comparison.RESULTS: Of 573 HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection, 32 were younger than 30 years old and 48 older than 70 years. Less hepatitis B infection, higher hepatitis C infection, more liver cirrhosis development, and a higher ICG 15min retention ratio than the younger group. The younger group tended to have a larger tumor size, more major hepatectomy, more operative blood loss during operation, more perioperative blood transfusion, and more recurrence when compared with the elderly-HCC group. The elderly-HCC group had a significantly better disease-free survival rate than the younger-HCC group. The younger-HCC group had a similar overall survival rate to the elderly-HCC group.CONCLUSIONS: These results seem to indicate a possible difference in the HCC carcinogenesis between younger and elderly patients. The overall survival of the younger HCC patients who undergone hepatic resection was as favorable as that of the elderly.     

Radioimmunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy for nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma

A comparative study of multiple modalities, radioimmunotherapy combined with cisplatin and MBV was made. The tumor size and macrophage activity (acid phosphatase) were measured after treatment. The results showed that the tumor inhibition rates were 48, 55, 74, 76, 79% in radioimmunotherapy, cisplatin, radioimmunotherapy + MBV, radioimmunotherapy + cisplatin and radioimmunotherapy + MBV + cisplatin groups, respectively. Radioimmunotherapy was effective in controlling tumor growth, especially in sequential treatment by two injections. Both cisplatin and MBV could increase therapeutic effect of radioimmunotherapy. Therefore, combination of the three modalities is the best choice for tumor growth control. The effectiveness of MBV may be related to the increase of macrophage activity. Preliminary clinical results were satisfactory. Decline in serum AFP level and shrinkage of tumor were observed in 80% (12/15) and 65% (13/20) of the patients. It is suggested that combination of multiple treatment modalities may provide an important approach to treat moderately advanced liver cancer.     

Surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United States, primarily due to hepatitis C-related liver disease. Nearly 85%-90% of patients with HCC have underlying chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Advanced tumor burden or prohibitive hepatic dysfunction precludes operative resection in most patients with HCC. Surgical resection is a treatment option with curative intent in patients with HCC not associated with cirrhosis or in patients with well-compensated liver disease. Tumor extent and hepatic function must be assessed preoperatively to avoid postresection hepatic failure, an often fatal condition that may require urgent liver transplantation. Appropriately selected candidates for liver resection have 5-year postoperative survival rates of 40%-70%, but recurrence rates approach 70%, especially in patients with cirrhosis. For this reason, the best resection for patients with HCC and cirrhosis is orthotopic liver transplantation, which has 5-year posttransplant survival rates of 65%-80% in well-selected candidates.     

Microwave-assisted liver resection vs. clamp crushing liver resection in cirrhosis patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of microwave-ablation-assisted liver resection (MW-LR) and clamp crushing liver resection (CC-LR) in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods: From July 2005 to January 2015, cirrhotic HCC patients who underwent CC-LR (n?=?191) or MW-LR (n?=?112) were retrospectively analysed. We compared morbidity, mortality, disease-free survival (DFS) time and overall survival time between the CC-LR and MW-LR groups.

Results: The blood loss volume was significantly higher in the CC-LR group (mean of 752?ml) than that in the MW-LR group (mean of 253?ml, p?p?=?0.029). The 30-day mortality rate (1.5% vs. 0.8%) and postoperative complication rate (32.9% vs. 25.0%) were both similar between the CC-LR and MW-LR groups. MW-LR provided a survival benefit over CC-LR at 1, 3 and 5 years in the entire population (93.5% vs. 87.0%, 77.0% vs. 62.5% and 50.0% vs. 36.5%, respectively; p?=?0.003). In a subgroup analysis, MW-LR provided a survival benefit over CC-LR for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A (BCLC-A) HCC (p?=?0.026) and stage B (BCLC-B) HCC (p?=?0.035) patients and provided DFS benefits for BCLC-A HCC patients (p?=?0.036).

Conclusions: MW-LR is a safe and feasible procedure for HCC patients with a cirrhotic liver history.     

Partial liver resection with small skin incision for multidisciplinary treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is likely to be detected as multiple intrahepatic metastases, and trans-arterial embolization (TAE) is the treatment of choice. However, other therapy is needed when TAE is not effective for a tumor. We performed partial liver resection with small skin incision in two such patients. One patient had two HCCs of segment 6 (S6) and S7, and TAE was performed twice. However, HCC of S7 was viable, and we partially resected the tumor of S7. In the other patient, HCC was multiple in segment 6 and 7. TAE was performed three times, and in segment 6 we detected a tumor which grew into the extrahepatic space and seemed uneffected by TAE. We performed a partial resection of liver segment 6. After 3 months, TAE was repeated in the latter. The operation time was about three hours, and no blood transfusion was performed. Two of the patients were discharged on the 13th postoperative day. We concluded that partial liver resection with small skin incision was useful for one case of multidisciplinary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

An unusual recurrence to the neck after complete resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma is presented. Work up at the time of resection revealed no evidence of metastasis. Two months later the patient developed an unresectable mass in his neck which invaded the second cervical vertebral body. This unusual metastasis is an indication that as one site of tumor is increasingly successfully cleared, we are likely to find more examples of tumor spread not seen previously.     

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with end-stage renal failure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection remains the main option for curing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, liver resection in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is risky. The aim of this study is to clarify the role of liver resection for treating HCC in patients with ESRD. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 468 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC between 1989 and 1999. The clinicopathological characteristics and operative results of 12 patients who had ESRD (ESRD group) were compared with those of the other 456 patients who did not have ESRD (non-ESRD group). In the ESRD group, heparin-free hemodialysis using the periodic saline-rinse method was performed during the perioperative period. RESULTS: The ESRD group had lower hemoglobin and a higher serum creatinine levels. Other patient background and tumor pathological characteristics were comparable between the two groups as well. The operative morbidity and mortality between the two groups were also similar. The 5-year disease-free survival rates for ESRD and non-ESRD groups were 35.0 and 34.2% (P = 0.31), respectively, while the 5-year actuarial survival rates were 67.8 and 53.3% (P = 0.54), respectively. CONCLUSION: With improving techniques and knowledge of dialysis, liver resection for HCC is justified in selected patients with ESRD.     

Satellite lesions in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma with reference to clinicopathologic features

BACKGROUND: It is not rare to find satellite lesions in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors associated with satellite lesions in these patients. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of satellite lesions, the relationship of clinicopathologic factors to satellite lesions, and the distance from the main tumor to the satellite lesion in 149 patients. Patients, who had a solitary HCC of 3.0 cm or less in diameter but no satellite lesions on preoperative imaging procedures, underwent potentially curative resection. The main tumors were macroscopically classified into four groups: early HCC, a vaguely nodular type showing preservation of the preexisting liver structure; single nodular type; single nodular type with extranodular growth; and confluent multinodular type. RESULTS: Of 149 resected specimens, 28 (19%) showed satellite lesions. Of the clinicopathologic factors investigated, the macroscopic type and tumor differentiation were significantly associated with the prevalence of satellite lesions. Both the single nodular type with extranodular growth and the confluent multinodular type showed satellite lesions more frequently than the early HCC and the single nodular type. A significantly higher prevalence of satellite lesions was observed in poorly differentiated HCC than in well and moderately differentiated HCC. The satellite lesions were located 0.5 cm or less from the main tumor in 8 (33%) specimens, 0.6-1.0 cm in 12 (50%), and 1.1-2.0 cm in 4 (17%). No identifiable factors were significantly related to the distance from the main tumor to the satellite lesion. However, all satellite lesions located more than 1.0 cm from the main tumor coexisted with poorly differentiated HCC, which were the single nodular type with extranodular growth or the confluent multinodular type. CONCLUSION: In the single nodular type with extranodular growth, confluent multinodular type, and poorly differentiated HCC, extensive treatment achieving a large safety margin and/or frequent posttreatment follow-up examinations may be needed because of the high prevalence of satellite lesions.     

肝癌复发危险因素及复发后治疗

肝癌根治性切除术后的高复发使得肝癌患者预后较差.辨别复发的危险因素和选择合适方法治疗复发,是提高肝癌长期预后的关键.现综述近几年有关复发危险因素与复发后治疗方面的研究进展.     

Indications and results of resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: In this retrospective series we evaluate our experience in surgical treatment of HCC and examine early and long-term results of 46 hepatic resections. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with HCC have been observed at our Department. Fifty patients (57%) have been operated, but only 46 (92%) could be resected; 43 patients (93.5%) carried liver cirrhosis. We performed 28 non-anatomical resections (60.8%) and 18 anatomical resections (39.2%). Tumour clearance at resection margin of at least 1cm was considered for a curative resections. RESULTS: Overall mortality and morbidity were 8.7 and 30.4% respectively. These rates significantly decreased in the last years: from 1995 to 2000 no hospital mortality has been recorded. Hospital mortality among non-anatomical and anatomical resection subgroups was 3.5 and 16.6% respectively (P<0.02). After a median f.u. of 41 months, 19 patients (45.2%) had recurrences: it was intrahepatic in 16 (84.4%). We observed a 3-, 5- and 10-years actuarial survival rate 62, 51.1 and 22.5% respectively. Long term survival significantly differed between non-anatomical and anatomical resections, with 5-year and 10-year values of 61.1 and 34.3% vs 37.7 and 18.8% respectively (P=0.0224). CONCLUSIONS: Early results after hepatic resection for HCC can be improved by using a limited surgical approach. Long-term results are still unsatisfactory, because of the high recurrence rate that is not influenced by different surgical approaches.     

Bone metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection.

Between January 1985 and July 1990, 323 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma underwent liver resection in our department. Bone metastases were found in 12 of these cases (3.7%). Bone metastases were mainly found in vertebral bone (58.3%) and pelvic bone (41.7%). The time interval to the development of bone metastasis after liver resection was closely related to the presence of intrahepatic metastasis and the stage at operation. In all cases, the initial clinical symptom was pain and/or motor disturbance. Radiotherapy was performed in 10 cases and transcatheter arterial embolization or surgery was performed in 4 cases. The pain or neurological symptoms improved with these therapies in all cases. Cumulative survival was 1 year in 74%, 2 years in 34%, and 3 years in 17%, respectively.