Prognostic factors and longterm survival after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma originating from noncirrhotic liver

BACKGROUND: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic liver is increasing in the world, probably because of the high prevalence of infections by hepatitis B and C viruses. Despite numerous publications on hepatic resection, prognostic factors for intrahepatic recurrence and survival are not well known for patients with HCC without cirrhosis. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eight consecutive patients with HCC in noncirrhotic liver have been treated by hepatic resection in the past 18 years in our center. Clinical, biologic, and histopathologic parameters of these patients were collected. Risk factors for intrahepatic recurrence and prognostic factors for survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 23% and 6.5%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 55% and 43%, and 43% and 29%, respectively. Blood transfusion, absence of tumor capsule, and daughter nodules were independently associated with overall survival. But the only risk factors for recurrence were blood transfusion, absence of tumor capsule, daughter nodules, and margin resection < 10 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of HCC without cirrhosis, hepatectomy remains a safe and legitimate treatment, but longterm results are impaired by a high rate of early recurrence likely related to metastatic dissemination. Only histopathologic factors related to the tumor are predictive of recurrence and overall survival.     

Prognostic factors and survival after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma without cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: Detailed follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis has resulted in increased diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients without cirrhosis. Despite numerous studies on hepatic resection, the prognostic factors for intrahepatic recurrence and survival are not well known for patients with HCC without cirrhosis. METHODS: Among 349 patients with HCC treated in the past 13 years, cirrhosis was absent in 126 patients (36 per cent). Curative hepatic resection was carried out in 100 (79 per cent) of these patients. Risk factors for intrahepatic recurrence and prognostic factors for survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 22 and 3 per cent respectively. The 5- and 10-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 31 and 50 per cent, and 22 and 47 per cent respectively. Blood loss, surgical resection margin, intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein invasion and extent of hepatic resection were independently associated with overall survival. However, the only risk factors for intrahepatic recurrence were portal vein invasion and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The former was related to early recurrence while the latter was related to later recurrence. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 58 per cent in patients with hepatitis B virus infection while it was 6 per cent in patients with HCV infection (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of HCC without cirrhosis, major hepatectomy is advocated to prevent early recurrence. Liver transplantation may be required for patients with HCV infection.     

Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Meeting Milan Criteria in Child-Turcotte-Pugh Class A Patients With Cirrhosis

This study evaluated whether hepatic resection is a reasonable strategy as an initial treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) meeting Milan criteria in patients with compensated cirrhosis. From the database of 435 consecutive patients with resection of HCC between July 1994 and May 2007, 213 patients were found to have Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A cirrhosis and HCC meeting Milan criteria, as shown by preoperative image studies. We examined long-term survivals and patterns of recurrence after hepatic resection among those patients. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 92%, 78%, 69%, and 52%, respectively, and 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 79%, 57%, 44%, and 19%, respectively. Pathological review indicated that 36/213 patients (16.9%) had another nodule and/or gross vascular invasion. Microvascular invasion, tumor size, and histological grade of cirrhosis were independent risk factors for recurrence. Sixty percent of recurrent cases met the Milan criteria. The six patients who underwent living donor salvage liver transplantation (OLT) for intrahepatic recurrence were alive without recurrence at a median of 24 (range = 8-31) months. These favorable data suggest that hepatic resection is a good option for small HCCs in patients with compensated cirrhosis; and salvage OLT may be reserved for patients with recurrences.     

Clinicopathologic Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis Surviving More than 10 Years after Curative Hepatectomy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with compensated cirrhosis surviving more than 10 years after initial hepatectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Among 250 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between 1987 and 1994 at our institute, 145 patients who had Child-Pugh class A liver function and who underwent curative resection were included in this study. Clinicopathologic factors in 10-year survivors and patients who died within 10 years (nonsurvivors) were compared, and the prognostic factors affecting survival were identified. RESULTS: There were 29 patients who survived for more than 10 years after initial hepatectomy, and 9 of those patients survived without cancer recurrence. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 76.2%, 53.0%, and 26.9% respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival rates were 43.1%, 25.7%, and 9.9% respectively. In multivariate analysis, liver fibrosis grade F0-2, female gender, ICG-R15 value of less than 15%, and absence of microscopic vascular invasion were favorable independent factors associated with 10-year survival. Disease-free interval after initial hepatectomy in 10-year survivors with recurrence was significantly longer than that in nonsurvivors with recurrence, 5.1 and 1.9 years respectively (P = 0.0004). The number of intrahepatic recurrent nodules in 10-year survivors tended to be fewer than that in nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our study, liver fibrosis grade F0-2, female gender, ICG-R15 value of less than 15% and absence of microscopic vascular invasion at initial hepatectomy might be biologically favorable conditions for long-term survival. Close follow-up as well as multimodal treatment could contribute to prolongation of survival in such patients, even if HCC recurrence develops.     

Long-Term Outcome of Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Noncirrhotic Nonfibrotic Liver with No Viral Hepatitis or Alcohol Abuse

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs primarily in cirrhotic liver, with less than 10% occurring in normal liver parenchyma. Limited studies have described the outcome of liver resection in strictly normal liver parenchyma with no cirrhosis, fibrosis, underlying viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, or dysmetabolic syndrome. Materials and methods Between January 1986 and 2005, a total of 321 patients were referred to our institution for HCC. Of these patients, 20 (6.2%) underwent surgery for HCC arising in noncirrhotic nonfibrotic liver parenchyma; they comprise our study group. Pathology examinations were reviewed based on the Chevallier fibrosis score and the Metavir viral score. Pre-, per-, and postoperative data were collected to assess their influence on tumor recurrence and survival. Results The median age was 57 years (35–80 years), and 71% patients were male. α-Fetoprotein serum levels were normal in 9 patients. A preoperative diagnosis was made in 14 cases. Morbidity and morality rates were 10% and 5%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 85%, 70%, and 64%, respectively; and disease-free survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years were 84%, 66%, and 58%, respectively. Eight patients had a recurrence with a median delay of 15 months (2–70 months). Univariate analysis showed that survival was influenced by preoperative cytolysis, R0 resection, recurrence, and recurrence within 1 year. A multivariate analysis revealed that recurrence and recurrence within 1 year significantly decreased survival. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients with recurrence were 75%, 37%, and 25%, respectively. Conclusion These results for HCC in patients with normal liver parenchyma justify liver resection and underline the differences in outcome of patients with HCC in a cirrhotic liver.     

Analysis of Prognostic Factors Affecting Survival After Initial Recurrence and Treatment Efficacy for Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Potentially Curative Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Survival analysis in patients with initial recurrence after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well evaluated. In addition, selections of the most effective treatments for patients with recurrent HCC still remain controversial. Methods Three hundred and nineteen patients who underwent potentially curative hepatectomies were followed for initial recurrence, and factors predictive of recurrence were determined. The factors affecting survival including pattern of recurrence and treatment modalities from the time of initial recurrence in 211 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results The overall 5-year disease-free survival rate of 319 patients was 31.1%. The 5-year survival rate of 211 patients from the time of initial recurrence was 31.9%. In a multivariate analysis, a low indocyanine green retention rate, lack of liver cirrhosis, a long interval before recurrence, the absence of portal vein invasion, and intrahepatic recurrence (≤3 nodules) were shown to be significantly favorable prognostic factors after the initial recurrence. The 5-year survival rate of patients with intrahepatic recurrence (≤3 nodules) was 42.3%, and no survival differences were observed among different treatment modalities. Conclusion When the initial recurrence occurred after a longer interval, and/or with three or fewer intrahepatic recurrent nodules, a favorable prognosis could be expected in those patients with better liver function and no portal vein invasion at the time of the primary hepatectomy. It is important to conduct a randomized controlled trial to clarify a method for selecting optimal treatment in patients with a smaller number of initial intrahepatic recurrences.     

First-line liver resection and salvage liver transplantation are increasing therapeutic strategies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and child a cirrhosis

AIM: The present study focused on nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with Child A liver cirrhosis undergoing first-line liver resection and salvage liver transplantation (SLT) for liver tumor recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with HCC underwent liver transplantation (OLT); 37 (80.5%) were primary liver transplantations (PLTs) and 9 (19.5%) were SLTs. All patients who underwent SLT received minor transabdominal liver resections. RESULTS: The posttransplant 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for SLT (88.9%, 88.9%, and 88.9%) were similar to those for PLT (78%, 62.7%, and 62.7%). Four (10.8%) patients in the PLT group had HCC recurrence, while there was zero recurrence in the SLT group. The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-free survival rates for PLT (89%, 74%, and 74%) were similar to those for SLT (100%, 100%, and 100%). The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-free survival rates after PLT were 89%, 74%, and 74%, and after SLT were 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The operative mortality, intraperioperative bleeding, operative time, intensive care unit stay, in-hospital stay, and overall incidence of postoperative complications were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, SLT for HCC is a feasible procedure with similar results in terms of overall survival, disease-free survival, and postoperative complications to those reported for patients who underwent PLT at our institute. An important role exists for SLT as shown by the fact that such a strategy has been used in the 20% of the patients undergoing OLT for HCC.     

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.     

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: Although liver resection is now a safe procedure, its role for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis remains controversial. METHODS: This study compared the results of liver resection for HCC in patients with cirrhosis over two time intervals. One hundred and sixty-one patients had resection during period 1 (1991-1996) and 265 in period 2 (1997-2002). Early and long-term results after liver resection in the two periods were compared, and clinicopathological characteristics that influenced survival were identified. RESULTS: Tumour size was smaller, indocyanine green retention rate was higher, patients were older and a greater proportion of patients were asymptomatic in period 2 than period 1. Operative blood loss, need for blood transfusion, operative mortality rate, postoperative hospital stay and total hospital costs were significantly reduced in period 2. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 28.2 and 33.9 per cent in periods 1 and 2 respectively (P = 0.042), and 5-year overall survival rates were 45.9 and 61.2 per cent (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified serum alpha-fetoprotein level, need for blood transfusion and Union Internacional Contra la Cancrum tumour node metastasis stage as independent determinants of disease-free and overall survival. CONCLUSION: The results of liver resection for HCC in patients with cirrhosis improved over time. Liver resection remains a good treatment option in selected patients with HCC arising from a cirrhotic liver.     

肝细胞癌肝切除术后预后影响因素分析

目的探讨影响肝细胞癌肝切除术后预后因素，为进一步治疗及判断预后提供依据。方法回顾性分析1994年10月至1998年10月中国医学科学院肿瘤医院手术切除的230例HCC病人资料。对可能影响预后的各种因素进行单因素分析，采用逐步回归法将可能对预后有影响的指标，依次引入Cox模型进行多因素分析。结果全组1、3、5年复发率分别为35．2％、52．1％、62．4％；总的1、3、5年生存率分别为79．1％、53．7％、40．2％。单因素分析显示肿瘤最大直径是否≥5cm、有无脉管瘤栓、术前AST、肝被膜受侵、肿瘤切缘为影响对肿瘤复发和无瘤生存率有影响（P〈0．05）。多因素分析显示脉管瘤栓、术前AST升高、肿瘤切缘、肝被膜受侵及肿瘤最大直径依次为影响预后的主要因素。结论肝细胞癌的预后是由多种因素决定的，脉管瘤栓、术前AST升高、肿瘤最大直径及肝被膜受侵是影响预后的最主要因素。早期发现、早期治疗是提高肝癌病人生存率的重要途径，对存在预后不良因素的病人，应加强术后随诊，及时发现术后复发和转移。     

Repeat hepatectomy is the most useful treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatic resection has been regarded as a curative treatment for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but a high incidence of postoperative recurrence is general. Thus it is important to predict the patterns of recurrence and select the appropriate treatment for recurrence for a better long-term prognosis of patients with HCC. Clinicopathological studies on 80 patients with intrahepatic recurrence after curative hepatectomy suggested that nodular-type recurrence with up to three nodules is mainly due to metachronous multicentric hepatocarcinogenesis rather than intrahepatic metastases. We reviewed 300 patients with recurrent HCC, and repeat hepatectomy was done in 78 cases (26.0%). The 3- and 5-year survival rates after repeat hepatectomy were 82.8% and 47.5%, respectively, showing better prognosis than those for other treatments. Repeat hepatectomy is the preferred treatment offering a hope of long-term survival for patients with recurrent HCC as long as liver function is sufficient; thus early detection of recurrence should be ensured. Received: February 14, 2001 / Accepted: March 24, 2001     

Laparoscopic liver resection for peripheral hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease: midterm results and perspectives

OBJECTIVE: Report the midterm results of laparoscopic resection for hepatocellular in chronic liver disease (CLD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic liver disease (CLD) remains controversial because of high morbidity and recurrence rates. Laparoscopic resection of liver tumors has recently been developed and could reduce morbidity. METHODS: From 1998 to 2003, patients with HCC and CLD were considered for laparoscopic liver resection. Inclusion criteria were chronic hepatitis or Child's A cirrhosis, solitary tumor < or =5 cm in size, and location in peripheral segments of the liver. Mortality, morbidity, recurrence rates, and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients were included. Liver resections included anatomic resection in 17 cases and non anatomic resection in 10. Seven conversions to laparotomy (26%) occurred for moderate hemorrhage in 5 cases and technical difficulties in 2 cases. Mortality and morbidity rates were 0% and 33%, respectively. Postoperative ascites and encephalopathy occurred in 2 patients (7%) who both had undergone conversion to laparotomy. Mean surgical margin was 11 mm (range, 1-47 mm). After a mean follow-up of 2 years (range, 1.1-4.7), 8 patients (30%) developed intrahepatic tumor recurrence of which one died. Treatment of recurrence was possible in 4 patients (50%), including orthotopic liver transplantation, right hepatectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and chemoembolization in 1 case each. There were no adhesions in the 2 reoperated patients. Overall and disease-free 3-year survival rates were 93% and 64%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that laparoscopic liver resection for HCC in selected patients is a safe procedure with very good midterm results. This approach could have an impact on the therapeutic strategy of HCC complicating CLD as a treatment with curative intent or as a bridge to liver transplantation.     

Liver resection as a bridge to transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis: a reasonable strategy?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the viability of a strategy of primary resection with secondary liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: LT is the optimal treatment of HCC with cirrhosis. Owing to organ shortage, liver resection is considered as a reasonable first-line treatment of patients with small HCC and good liver function, with secondary LT as a perspective in case of recurrence. The viability of such strategy, positively explored in theoretical models, is not documented in clinical practice. METHODS: Among 358 consecutive patients with HCC on cirrhosis treated by liver resection (n = 163; 98 of whom were transplantable) or transplantation (n = 195), the feasibility and outcome of secondary transplantation was evaluated in a 2-step fashion. First, secondary LT for tumor recurrence after resection (n = 17) was compared with primary LT (n = 195), to assess the risk and the outcome of secondary LT in patients who effectively succeeded to be treated by this approach. Second, primary resection in transplantable patients (n = 98) was compared with that of primary LT (n = 195) on an intention-to-treat basis, to assess the outcome of each treatment strategy and to determine the proportion of resected patients likely to be switched for secondary LT. Transplantability of resected patients was retrospectively determined according to selection criteria of LT for HCC. RESULTS: Operative mortality (< or =2 months) of secondary LT was significantly higher than that of primary LT (28.6% versus 2.1%; P = 0.0008) as was intraoperative bleeding (mean transfused blood units, 20.7 versus 10.5; P = 0.0001). Tumor recurrence occurred more frequently after secondary than after primary LT (54% versus 18%; P = 0.001). Posttransplant 5-year overall survival was 41% versus 61% (P = 0.03), and disease-free survival was 29% versus 58% (P = 0.003) for secondary and primary LT, respectively.Of 98 patients treated by resection while initially eligible for transplantation, only 20 (20%) were secondarily transplanted, 17 of whom (17%) for tumor recurrence and 3 (3%) for hepatic decompensation. Transplantability of tumoral recurrence was 25% (17 of 69 recurrences). Compared with primarily transplanted patients, transplantable resected patients had a decreased 5-year overall survival (50% versus 61%; P = 0.05) and disease-free survival (18% versus 58%; P < 0.0001), despite the use of secondary LT.On a multivariate analysis including 271 patients eligible for transplantation and treated by either liver resection or primary LT, liver resection alone (P < 0.0001; risk ratio [RR] = 3.27) or liver resection with secondary LT (P < 0.05; RR= 1.87) emerged as negative independent factors of disease-free survival as compared with primary LT. A number of nodules > 3 (P = 0.002; RR= 2.02) and a maximum tumor size exceeding 30 mm (P < 0.0001; RR=1.93) were also predictive of lower disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: LT after liver resection is associated with a higher operative mortality, an increased risk of recurrence, and a poorer outcome than primary LT. In addition, liver resection as a bridge to LT impairs the patient transplantability and the chance of long-term survival of cirrhotic patients with HCC. Primary LT should therefore remain the ideal choice of treatment of a cirrhotic patient with HCC, even when the tumor is resectable.     

影响3cm以下小肝癌患者术后生存因素的观察

目的 总结小肝癌的手术治疗经验,探讨影响其术后生存率的临床、病理因素。方法回顾性分析1986年1月-2003年12月间手术切除并获得随访的105例小肝癌(≤3cm)的临床、病理资料,中位随访时间33个月。对有无结节性肝硬化、肝功能Child分级、术前血清AFP水平、肿瘤大小、有无肿瘤包膜、肿瘤分化程度(Edmondson分级)、有无门静脉癌栓、肿瘤是否多灶性(包括卫星灶)及手术方式等9项临床、病理参数与术后生存率及无瘤生存率的关系进行单因素及Cox模型多因素分析。结果截止2004年5月,手术后1、3、5年生存率分别为86．5%、70．3％、55．2％,无瘤生存率分别为78．0％、58．9％、45．6％。再次手术死亡1例。随访期内36例肝内复发,34例死亡。单因素及多因素分析均提示术前肝功能Child分级、肿瘤大小、门静脉癌栓及肿瘤多灶性是影响手术后生存率的预后因素,多因素分析显示肿瘤大小、门静脉癌栓及多灶性是影响手术后无瘤生存率的预后因素。结论距肿瘤1cm以上切缘的局部切除是治疗小肝癌的合理手术方式,手术后的肝内复发和转移及肝功能不良是导致小肝癌患者术后死亡的主要原因。     

Extent of liver resection influences the outcome in patients with cirrhosis and small hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is influenced by parameters related to the tumor and the underlying liver disease. However, the extent of the resection, which can be limited or anatomical (including the tumor and its portal territory), is controversial. METHODS: Among 64 Child-Pugh A patients with cirrhosis who underwent curative liver resection for small HCC (< or = 4 cm) between 1990 and 1996, 34 patients underwent limited resection with a margin width of at least 1 cm, and 30 patients underwent anatomic resection of at least 1 liver segment with complete removal of the portal area containing the tumor. The 2 groups were comparable in terms of epidemiologic and pathologic parameters. The major end points were: (1) in-hospital mortality and morbidity; (2) overall and disease-free survival; and (3) rate and topography of recurrence. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality (6% vs 7%) and morbidity (52% vs 47%) rates after limited and anatomic liver resection were not statistically different. The 5- and 8-year overall survival rates after limited versus anatomic resection were, respectively, 35% versus 54% (P <.05) and 6% versus 45% (P <.05). The 5- and 8-year disease-free survival rates were, respectively, 26% versus 45% and 0% versus 21% (P <.05). Local recurrence was more frequently observed after limited resections than after anatomic resections (50% vs 10%, P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis and a small HCC, anatomic resection achieves better disease-free survival than limited resection without increasing the postoperative risk. Therefore, anatomical resection should be the treatment of choice and considered as the reference surgical treatment compared with other treatments.     

Resection or transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: outcomes based on indicated treatment strategy

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection has been the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the resection rate remains low in cirrhotic patients and recurrence is common. Unfavorable results compared with benign disease and the shortage of organ donors have led to a restricted indication for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HCC. STUDY DESIGN: The aim of this study was to analyze the results of our surgical approach to HCC in patients with cirrhosis. The first treatment strategy indicated in these patients was OLT. From January 1990 to May 1999, 85 patients underwent OLT and the remaining 35 had surgical resection. RESULTS: One-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 84%, 74%, and 60% versus 83%, 57%, and 51%, respectively, in the OLT and resection groups (p = 0.34). Hepatic tumor recurrence was much less frequent in the OLT group than in the resection group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 83%, 72%, and 60% versus 70%, 44%, and 31%, respectively (p = 0.027). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, macroscopic vascular invasion was the only factor independently associated with death or recurrence after OLT (p = 0.006). After partial liver resection, the tumors significantly associated with mortality and recurrence in the multivariate analysis were solitary or multiple tumors greater than 2cm with microscopic vascular invasion (pathologic pT3) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that in cirrhotic patients, OLT may provide better outcomes than liver resection in carefully selected HCC and that longterm survival is similar to the results of OLT in cirrhotic patients without tumors.     

Repeat liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although hepatectomy has been accepted as a therapeutic option for the primary tumor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), what role the second liver resection will play in the clinical care of patients with intrahepatic recurrence of HCC after the initial resection has not been well evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective review of the 6-year period between January 1991 and December 1996, records were examined of 94 patients who underwent curative liver resection for HCC. Of these, 57 patients had isolated recurrent disease to the liver; 12 of the 57 patients underwent repeat surgical resection and 45 patients received nonsurgical ablative therapy. Clinical data for these patients were reviewed for operative morbidity and mortality, survival, disease-free survival, and pattern of failure. RESULTS: There were no perioperative deaths during repeat liver resections for recurrent HCC. Operative morbidity in the second resection was comparable to the initial resection. The disease-free survival rate after the second hepatectomy was 31% at 2 years, significantly lower than that after initial hepatectomy (62%) (p = 0.009). The overall survival rate after the second hepatectomy was 90% at 2 years, in contrast to 70% after nonsurgical ablative treatment for recurrent HCC (p = 0.253). CONCLUSIONS: Although the second liver resection for recurrent HCC can be performed safely and may improve survival, the disease-free survival rate after such resection therapy is low. This likelihood of further recurrences encourages studies for the selection of patients who may benefit from repeat liver resection.     

肝癌肝移植术前循环肿瘤细胞检测的预后价值

目的研究分析肝移植术前循环肿瘤细胞(CTC)检测评估预测受者肝癌复发与生存的应用价值。方法收集中山大学附属中山医院于2015年10月至2019年10月期间62例肝癌患者肝移植术前通过Cyttel法检测分析CTC,应用X-tile软件通过Kaplan-Meier法确定术前CTC最佳的截止值,并分析CTC与临床因素的关系;单因素及多因素COX回归分析影响其预后的独立危险因素,采用Kaplan-Meier法描绘肝移植术后无瘤生存期和总生存期的生存曲线。结果确定术前CTC最佳临界值为3个/3.2 ml,将CTC≥3/3.2 mL设置为CTC阳性组,CTC<3个/3.2 ml设置为CTC阴性组;肝移植术前CTC阳性/阴性与术前甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平、最大肿瘤直径、淋巴转移、肝移植标准、分化程度呈显著相关(P<0.05);单因素及多因素COX回归模型法系发现术前CTC个数(HR:1.262,95%CI:1.069~1.489,P=0.006)、微血管侵犯(HR:2.657,95%CI:1.120~6.305,P=0.027)是肝癌肝移植术后无瘤生存期的独立危险因素,而微血管侵犯(HR:3.738,95%CI:1.219-11.459,P=0.027)是影响肝癌肝移植术后总生存期唯一的独立危险因素;术前CTC阳性/阴性与肿瘤复发或转移(未复发、肝内复发与远处转移)差异有统计学意义(χ²=7.790,P=0.020);术前CTC阴性、阳性患者在1年、2年、3年无瘤生存率分别为82.90%、68.70%、58.90%和49.00%、29.40%、22.10%;术前CTC阴性、阳性患者在1年、2年、3年总生存率为85.50%、77.10%、69.79%和64.90%、47.20%、40.50%。术前CTC阴性的无瘤生存率曲线高于CTC阳性,差异有统计学意义(P=0.001);术前CTC阴性的总生存率曲线高于CTC阳性,差异有统计学意义(P=0.005)。结论术前CTC检测对评估肝癌肝移植术后预后具有重要的临床意义及应用前景。     

Recurrence after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: risk factors, treatment, and outcomes

BACKGROUND: Tumor recurrence remains the major cause of death after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for the recurrence of HCC and to examine long-term outcomes after resection. METHODS: From July 1992 to July 2004, 193 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection as primary therapy with curative intent for HCC were included in this single-center analysis. The perioperative mortality rate was 5%. Time to recurrence (disease-free survival) and overall survival were determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics were tested for their prognostic significance by univariate and multivariate analysis with the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model, respectively. RESULTS: Median overall survival for the entire cohort was 71 +/- 11 months; disease-free survival was 34 months (range, 1-149 months). After a median follow-up time of 34 months, 98 patients (51%) experienced recurrent cancer; initial tumor recurrence was confined to the liver in 86 patients (88%). With the use of multivariate analysis, preoperative vascular invasion detected on radiologic imaging studies; postoperative vascular invasion found on pathologic assessment, and intermediate and poor tumor differentiation and tumor size and number were significant predictors of disease-free survival. Of the 98 patients who had tumor recurrence, 53 patients (54%) underwent additional therapy (ablation, 31 patients; re-resection, 11 patients; transarterial chemoembolization, 8 patients; liver transplantation, 3 patients) with improvement in survival. CONCLUSION: Despite recurrences in >50% of patients, long-term survival can be achieved after resection of HCC. Identification of risk factors, close follow-up evaluation, and early detection are mandatory because recurrences that are confined to the liver may be amenable to treatment with an additional survival benefit.     

Factors Associated with Disease Survival after Surgical Resection in Chinese Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective The aim of this cohort study was to investigate clinical outcome and prognostic factors after surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods A total of 1,157 HCC patients undergoing hepatic resection between 1998 and 2003 were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine factors affecting clinical outcome and recurrence. Results Surgical procedures consisted of 1,011 (87.4%) anatomical resections, including 205 (17.7%) extended hepatectomies, 324 (28.0%) hemihepatectomies, 482 (41.7%) segmental resections, and 146 (12.6%) local resections. The results suggest that 56.6% of patients had a recurrence of HCC during the study period and the main recurrence type was intrahepatic (542; 83.1%). The median survival time was 45 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall disease-free survival rates for the study population were 74%, 47%, and 39% respectively. Conclusions The results of proportional hazard analyses suggest that tumor size, number of nodules and vascular invasion were significant predictors for poor survival rates.