Postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization improves outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with bile duct tumor thrombus: a propensity score matching analysis

BackgroundSurgical resection is the primary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT). This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant TACE (PA-TACE) in patients with HCC and BDTT.MethodsData from patients who underwent surgery for HCC with BDTT at two medical centers were retrospectively analyzed. The survival outcomes of patients who were treated by hepatic resection followed by PA-TACE were compared with those of patients who underwent surgery alone. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed with a 1:1 ratio.ResultsOf the 308 consecutively enrolled HCC patients with BDTT who underwent surgical resection, 134 underwent PA-TACE whereas 174 underwent surgery alone. From the initial cohort, PSM matched 106 pairs of patients. The OS and DFS rates were significantly better for the PA-TACE group than the surgery alone group (for OS: before PSM, P = 0.026; after PSM, P = 0.039; for DFS: before PSM, P = 0.010; after PSM, P = 0.013).ConclusionPA-TACE was associated with better survival outcomes than surgery alone for patients with HCC and BDTT. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to validate the beneficial effect of PA-TACE on HCC patients associated with BDTT.     

Patterns,treatments, and prognosis of tumor recurrence after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion: a multicenter study from China

BackgroundMicrovascular invasion (MVI) is a risk factor of post-hepatectomy tumor recurrence for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patterns, treatments, and prognosis have not been documented in HCC patients with MVI.MethodsA multicenter database of patients with HCC and MVI following resection was analyzed. The clinicopathological and initial operative data, timing and first sites of recurrence, recurrence management, and long-term survival outcomes were analyzed.ResultsOf 1517 patients included, the median follow-up was 39.7 months. Tumor recurrence occurred in 928 patients, with 49% within 6 months of hepatectomy and 60% only in the liver. The incidence of intrahepatic only recurrence gradually increased with time after 6 months. Patients who developed recurrence within 6 months of hepatectomy had worse survival outcomes than those who developed recurrence later. Patients who developed intrahepatic only recurrence had better prognosis than those with either extrahepatic only recurrence or those with intra- and extrahepatic recurrence. Repeat resection of recurrence with curative intent resulted in better outcomes than other treatment modalities.ConclusionPost-hepatectomy tumor recurrence in patients with HCC and MVI had unique characteristics and recurrence patterns. Early detection of tumor recurrence and repeat liver resection with curative intent resulted in improved long-term survival outcomes.     

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in bile duct: A proposal of new classification according to resectability of primary lesion

BACKGROUNDHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the bile duct (BDTT) is easily misdiagnosed or mistreated due to the clinicopathological diversity of the thrombus and its relationship with primary lesions.AIMTo propose a new classification for HCC with BDTT in order to guide its diagnosis and treatment.METHODSA retrospective review of the diagnosis and treatment experience regarding seven typical HCC patients with BDTT between January 2010 and December 2019 was conducted.RESULTSBDTT was preoperatively confirmed by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in only four patients. Three patients with recurrent HCC and one patient with first-occurring HCC had no visible intrahepatic tumors; of these, misdiagnosis occurred in two patients, and three patients died. One patient was mistreated as having common bile duct stones, and another patient with a history of multiple recurrent HCC was misdiagnosed until obvious biliary dilation could be detected. Only one patient who received hepatectomy accompanied by BDTT extraction exhibited disease-free survival during the follow-up period. A new classification was proposed for HCC with BDTT as follows: HCC with microscopic BDTT (Type I); resectable primary or recurrent HCC mass in the liver with BDTT (Type II); BDTT without an obvious HCC mass in the liver (Type III) and BDTT accompanied with unresectable intra- or extrahepatic HCC lesions (Type IV).CONCLUSIONWe herein propose a new classification system for HCC with BDTT to reflect its pathological characteristics and emphasize the significance of primary tumor resectability in its treatment.     

Application of hazard functions to investigate recurrence after curative-intent resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundDefining patterns and risk of recurrence can help inform surveillance strategies and patient counselling. We sought to characterize peak hazard rates (pHR) and peak time of recurrence among patients who underwent resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods1434 patients who underwent curative-intent resection of HCC were identified from a multi-institutional database. Hazard, patterns, and peak rates of recurrence were characterized.ResultsThe overall hazard of recurrence peaked at 2.4 months (pHR: 0.0384), yet varied markedly. The incidence of recurrence increased with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0 (29%), A (54%), and B (64%). While the hazard function curve for BCLC 0 patients was relatively flat (pHR: <0.0177), BCLC A patients recurred with a peak at 2.4 months (pHR: 0.0365). Patients with BCLC B had a bimodal recurrence with a peak rate at 4.2 months (pHR: 0.0565) and another at 22.8 months. The incidence of recurrence also varied according to AFP level (≤400 ng/mL: 52.6% vs. >400 ng/mL: 36.3%) and Tumor Burden Score (low: 73.7% vs. medium: 50.6% vs. high: 24.2%) (both p < 0.001).ConclusionRecurrence hazard rates for HCC varied substantially relative to both time and intensity/peak rates. TBS and AFP markedly impacted patterns of hazard risk of recurrence.     

肝细胞癌根治术后辅助性肝动脉化疗栓塞对远期复发的影响

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

Caution for Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Cholangitis: Lessons From 5 Cases of Bile Duct Tumor Thrombus Without a Detectable Intrahepatic Tumor

The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) usually have no specific clinical symptoms at early stages. HCC with BDTT was usually misdiagnosed when the intrahepatic tumor was small, even undetectable.In this study, 5 cases of HCC with BDTT misdiagnosed as choledocholithiasis and cholangitis in the local hospital are described. We analyzed retrospectively and summarized our experiences of these 5 HCC patients with BDTT misdiagnosed in the local hospital during the past 5 years. The diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of the patients are discussed.Three patients underwent hepatectomy with thrombectomy and T-tube drainage. One patient underwent hepatectomy with the resection of the common bile duct and hepatojejunostomy, and palliative surgery was performed in 1 patient with portal vein tumor thrombus and intrahepatic metastasis. The patients were followed for 6–22 months; 4 patients died of tumor recurrence and metastasis or hepatic failure, despite 3 of these patients having received transhepatic arterial chemotherapy and embolization or radiofrequency ablation therapy.Early and accurate diagnosis of HCC with BDTT is very important. When patients have a history of abnormal recurrent cholangitis, HCC with BDTT should be highly suspected. Intraductal ultrasonography (US), intraoperative US, and histopathological examination are very valuable for the diagnosis. The prognosis of HCC patients with BDTT is dismal. Identification of this type of patient is clinically important, because surgical treatment may be beneficial.     

Sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization before right hemihepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Recent studies showed that sequential selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and portal vein embolization(PVE) provided better future liver remnant(FLR) regeneration rate and disease-free survival following surgery compared with PVE alone. The present study aimed to clarify whether preoperative sequential TACE and PVE before right hemihepatectomy can reduce postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) recurrence and improve long-term disease-free and overall survival. Methods: Recurrence and survival outcomes were retrospectively evaluated in 205 patients with HCC who underwent right hemihepatectomy by a single surgeon from November 1993 to November 2017. Patients were divided into four groups according to the procedure performed before the surgery: sequential TACE and PVE(TACE-PVE), PVE-only, TACE-only, or na?ve control groups. The baseline patient and tumor characteristics, postoperative outcomes, recurrence-free survival and overall survival were analyzed. Results: Baseline patient and tumor characteristics upon diagnosis were similar in all four groups, while sequential TACE and PVE were well tolerated. The TACE-PVE group had a higher mean increase in percentage FLR volume compared with that of the PVE-only group(17.46% ± 6.63% vs. 12.14% ± 5.93%; P = 0.001). The TACE-PVE group had significantly better overall and disease-free survival rates compared with the other groups(both P 0.001). Conclusions: Sequential TACE and PVE prior to surgery can be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with HCC scheduled for major hepatic resection. The active application of preoperative sequential TACE and PVE for HCC would allow more patients with marginal FLR volume to become candidates for major hepatic resection by promoting compensatory FLR hypertrophy without the deterioration of basal hepatic functional reserve or tumor progression.     

Risk factors for recurrence after transarterial chemoembolization for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a standard therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with 3 or fewer tumors of up to 3?cm (early-stage HCC); when RFA is unsuccessful or unfeasible, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has often been performed. However, little information about the outcome of TACE for early-stage HCC has been reported and it is hard to decide whether to perform additional treatment following TACE in these difficult conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for local or intrahepatic distant recurrence after TACE in early-stage HCC.

Methods

Among 1,560 newly diagnosed HCC patients who were admitted to Okayama University Hospital, 43 patients with early-stage HCC who received only TACE in at least one nodule were enrolled in this study. We analyzed the risk factors for local and distant recurrence by the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The local recurrence rates and intrahepatic distant recurrence rates at 3 months, 6?months, and 1?year were 18.6, 33.4, and 61.8%, and 2.8, 2.8, and 10.2%, respectively. Among 12 parameters examined as possible risk factors for recurrence, heterogeneous Lipiodol uptake (risk ratio 3.38; 95% confidence interval 1.14–10.60) and high serum des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) (2.58; 1.03–7.14) were significantly correlated with local recurrence, and the presence of multiple tumors (10.64; 1.76–93.75) was significantly correlated with intrahepatic distant recurrence.

Conclusions

Heterogeneous Lipiodol uptake, high serum DCP, and multiple tumors are risk factors for recurrence in patients with early-stage HCC who have undergone palliative TACE.     

HBcrAg is a predictor of post‐treatment recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma during antiviral therapy

Background/Aims: The recurrence rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high even in patients receiving curative therapy. In this study, we analysed the risk factors for tumour recurrence after curative therapy for HBV‐related HCC while under treatment with nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) by measuring serum HBcrAg and intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels to elucidate the viral status associated with HCC recurrence. Methods: We enrolled 55 patients who developed HCC during NA therapy and underwent either curative resection or percutaneous ablation for HCC. Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma recurred in 21 (38%) of the patients over a period of 2.2 (range, 0.2–7.4) years. In multivariate analysis, serum HBcrAg levels ≥4.8log U/ml at the time of HCC diagnosis (hazard ratio, 8.96; 95% confidential interval, 1.94–41.4) and portal vein invasion (3.94, 1.25–12.4) were independent factors for HCC recurrence. The recurrence‐free survival rates of the high cccDNA group were significantly lower than those of the low cccDNA group only in patients who underwent resection (P=0.0438). A positive correlation (P=0.028; r=0.479) was observed between the intrahepatic cccDNA and the serum HBcrAg levels at the incidence of HCC. Conclusion: HBcrAg is a predictor of the post‐treatment recurrence of HCC during antiviral therapy. Serum HBcrAg and intrahepatic cccDNA suppression by NAs may be important to prevent HCC recurrence.     

Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombus after R0 resection:a matched study

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) is rare. The present study aimed to determine post-surgical prognoses in HCC patients with BDTT, as outcomes are currently unclear.
METHODS: We compared the prognoses of 110 HCC patients without BDTT (group A) to 22 cases with BDTT (group B). The two groups were matched in age, gender, tumor etiology, size, number, portal vascular invasion, and TNM stage. Addi-tionally, 28 HCC patients with BDTT were analyzed to identify prognostic risk factors.
RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 90.9%, 66.9%, and 55.9% for group A and 81.8%, 50.0%, and 37.5% for group B, respectively. The median survival time in groups A and B was 68.8 and 31.4 months, respectively (P=0.043). The patients for group B showed higher levels of serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, a larger hepatectomy range, and a higher rate of anatomical resection. In subgroup analyses of patients with BDTT who underwent R0 resection, TNM stage III-IV was an independent risk factor for overall survival; these patients had worse prognoses than those with TNM stage I-II after R0 resection (hazard ratio=6.056,P=0.014). Besides, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that non-R0 resection and TNM stage III-IV were independent risk fac-tors for both disease-free survival and overall survival of 28 HCC patients with BDTT. The median overall survival time of patients with BDTT who underwent R0 resection was longer than that of patients who did not undergo R0 resection (31.0 vs 4.0 months,P=0.007).
CONCLUSIONS: R0 resection prolonged survival time in HCC patients with BDTT, although prognosis remains poor. For such patients, R0 resection is an important treatment that determines long-term survival.     

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

AIM:To evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvanttranscatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)on theprognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients withor without risk factors for the residual tumor.METHODS:From January 1995 to December 1998,549consecutive HCC patients undergoing surgical resectionwere included in this research.There were 185 patientswho underwent surgical resection with adjuvant TACE and364 patients who underwent surgical resection only.Tumorswith a diameter more than 5 cm,multiple nodules,andvascular invasion were defined as risk factors for residualtumor and used for patient stratification.Kaplan-Neiermethod was used to analyze survival curve and Coxproportional hazard model was used to evaluate theprognostic significance of adjuvant TACE.RESULTS:In the patients without any risk factors for theresidual tumor,the 1-,3-,5-year survival rates were 93.48%,75.85%,62.39% in the control group and 97.39%,70.37%,50.85% in the adjuvant TACE group,respectively.Therewas no significant difference in the survival between twogroups(P=0.3956).However,in the patients with riskfactors for residual tumor,postoperative adjuvant TACEsignificantly prolonged the patients' survival.There was astatistically significant difference in survival between twogroups(P=0.0216).The 1-,3-,5-year survival rates were69.95%,49.86%,37.40% in the control group and 89.67%,61.28%,44.36% in the adjuvant TACE group,respectively.Cox proportional hazard model showed that tumor diameterand cirrhosis,but not the adjuvant TACE,were the significantlyindependent prognostic factors in the patients without riskfactors for residual tumor.However,in the patients withrisk factors for residual tumor adjuvant TACE,and alsotumor diameter,AFP level,vascular invasion,were thesignificantly independent factors associated with thedecreasing risk for patients'death from HCC.CONCLUSION:Postoperative adjuvant TACE can prolongthe survival of patients with risk factors for residual tumor,but can not prolong the survival of patients without riskfactors for residual tumor.     

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

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

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

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

Safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts

BackgroundTransarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important option as the majority of patients present with advanced disease. Data regarding treatment outcomes in patients who have undergone transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) are limited. The present study seeks to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TACE in HCC patients with a TIPS.MethodsA retrospective review identifying patients with HCC and concomitant TIPS who were treated with TACE was performed.ResultsFrom 1999 to 2014, 16 patients with HCC underwent a total of 27 TACE procedures; eight patients required multiple treatments. The median patient age at the time of the initial TACE was 60.5 years [interquartile range (IQR) : 52.5–67.5] with the majority being male (n = 12, 75%) and Childs–Pugh Class B (n = 12, 75%). At 6 weeks after TACE, 56.3% of patients achieved an objective response rate (complete and partial response) by mRECIST criteria. Clavien Grade 3 or higher complications occurred in 11.1% of TACE procedures. There were no peri-procedural deaths. The median progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 9 and 22 months, respectively, when censored for liver transplantation (median follow-up: 11.5 months).ConclusionTACE is an effective treatment strategy for HCC in TIPS patients; albeit may be associated with higher complication rates.     

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

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

Randomized study of chemoembolization as an adjuvant therapy for primary liver carcinoma after hepatectomy

From April 1990 to December 1993, 140 patients were recruited to a randomized study to evaluate transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) as an adjuvant therapy for primary liver carcinoma after hepatectomy. This study investigated the principle, techniques and results of TACE. The results showed that the intrahepatic recurrence rate was 48.9% in the patients who underwent radical resection only, but only 21.3% in the patients who also underwent TACE 3–4 weeks after hepatectomy (P<0.01). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year survival rates were 72.3%, 52.7%, 35.1%, and 35.1% respectively for the patients who underwent radical resection only, and were 97.9%, 85.5%, 69.5%, and 56.9% for the patients who also underwent TACE 3–4 weeks after radical resectionP<0.001). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year survival rates were 38.9%, 0%, 0%, and 0% for the patients who underwent palliative resection only, and were 68.3%, 32.3%, 21.5%, and 21.5% respectively for the patients undergoing TACE 3–4 weeks after palliative hepatectomyP<0.001).Abbreviations TACE transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization - PLC primary liver carcinoma     

Risk factors of intrahepatic recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the risk factors for the development of intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been widely studied, little attention has been given to the prognostic factors affecting such patients. METHODOLOGY: Intrahepatic recurrence occurred in 105 (56%) of 188 patients who underwent curative hepatic resection of HCC and were discharged from the hospital. Among them, 17 (16%) also had simultaneous extrahepatic recurrence. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated by multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of extrahepatic recurrence, hepatitis B, and non-surgical treatments for recurrence were independent predictors of poor overall survival after initial hepatic resection or after recurrence. Risk factors of extrahepatic recurrence were young age, solitary and large HCC, high hepatitis activity, and large amount of intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Survival of patients with intrahepatic recurrent HCC after resection should be stratified by the type of recurrence, type of hepatitis, and type of treatment for recurrence.