Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Partial Hepatectomy for Small Centrally Located Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

It is not known whether percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) could get the same treatment efficacy and fewer complications as partial hepatectomy (PH) in patients with small centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of PH and PRFA in the treatment of small centrally located HCC.

Methods

From January 2002 until December 2007, 196 patients with small centrally located HCC (≤5 cm) were included. Of these 196 patients, 94 received PRFA and 102 patients were treated with PH. Treatment outcomes, including major complications and survival data, were studied.

Results

No treatment-related death occurred in either group. There were no significant differences in survival rates between the two groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates for the PRFA and PH groups were 57.9 %, 36.4 %, 34.0 %, and 59.8 %, 42.4 %, 40.8 %, respectively (P = 0.50). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for the two groups were 94.3 %, 74.7 %, and 49.8 %, and 89.2 %, 74.1 %, and 63.1 %, respectively (P = 0.96). PRFA had a lower rate of major complications than PH (8.5 vs 19.6 %), and the hospital stay was also shorter in the PRFA group than in the PH subgroup (4 vs 13 days).

Conclusions

Based on the data obtained, we concluded that PRFA might be equal to PH for the treatment of small centrally located HCC. However, PRFA has the benefits of shorter hospital stay as well as a lower rate of complications.     

Radical but Conservative Liver Resection for Large Centrally Located Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Mini Upper-Transversal Hepatectomy

Background

In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a diseased liver, surgery should be offered in a parenchyma-sparing fashion. This approach seems unfeasible for large and deeply located lesions. Ultrasound study of the tumor-vessel relationship and hepatic inflow and outflow opens new technical solutions: herein is described a new operation based on this approach.1 ^– 3

Methods

A 69-year-old man with a large centrally located HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C) underwent surgery. The HCC was located in segments 7, 8, and part of 5, extensively compressing and dislodging the anterior (P5–8) and posterior (P6–7) Glissonean pedicles at their origin. The lesion involved the right hepatic vein (RHV) and was in contact with the middle hepatic vein at the caval confluence. An inferior RHV (IRHV) was preoperatively evident.

Results

After a J-shaped thoracophrenolaparotomy, the liver exploration with the aid of intraoperative ultrasound confirmed the tumoral contact without vascular invasion with P5–8 and P6–7 and disclosed multiple communicating veins between the middle hepatic vein and RHV, warranting with the IRHV the segment 5–6 outflows. A resection of segments 7 and 8 with RHV resection, together with complete tumor detachment from P5–8 and P6–7, was performed. The specimen was removed combining the crush-clamping method for the parenchyma division and a peeling-off technique by means of blunt scissor dissection for the tumor vessel detachment. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was alive without recurrence at 12 months after surgery.

Conclusions

This video is the first live demonstration of the previously reported radical but conservative policy, adding to the latter the technical solutions provided by detection of accessory veins such as the IRHV and communicating veins.1 ^– 4     

Impact of Glissonean Pedicle Approach for Centrally Located Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mongolia

Approaches to surgical resection of centrally located HCC remain controversial. Traditionally, hemi- or extended hepatectomy is suggested. However, it carries a high risk of postoperative complications in patients with cirrhosis. An alternative approach is Glissonean pedicle transection method. This study was conducted to assess the surgical and survival outcomes associated with central liver resection using the Glissonean pedicle transection. Sixty-nine patients with centrally located HCC were studied retrospectively. They were divided into conventional approach group with hemi- or extended hepatectomy, and Glissonean approach group with multisegmental central liver resection using the Glissonean pedicle transection. Glissonean pedicle transection method has comparable or superior surgical and survival outcomes to conventional hemi- or extended hepatectomy with regard to intraoperative bleeding, complications, hospital stay, and postoperative mortality and survival outcomes in patients with centrally located HCC. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the conventional approach group were 74%, 64%, and 55% respectively. For the Glissonean approach group, the 1 and 3-year overall survival rates were 86% and 61%, respectively. Glissonean pedicle transection method is a safe and effective surgical procedure in patients with centrally located HCC.Key words: Centrally located HCC, Glissonean approach, Glissonean pedicle transection, Central hepatectomyHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the first leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both men and women in Mongolia, and its incidence is among the highest worldwide.¹ Surgical resection remains the first-line therapeutic strategy for HCC despite recent advancements in treatment modalities.^2-4 However, underlying liver diseases significantly limit the number of HCC patients eligible for surgical resection. This is especially problematic, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C is over 10% in the general population, and 86.8% of HCC patients have cirrhosis.⁵ Therefore, refining surgical techniques to preserve as much liver parenchyma as possible could potentially improve treatment prospects for cirrhotic HCC patients, particularly in cases when the tumor is centrally located.Traditionally, hemi- or extended hepatectomy is suggested for the treatment of centrally located HCC.⁶ However, such a major hepatic resection sacrifices a large volume of noncancerous liver parenchyma, which carries a high risk of postoperative liver failure in patients with cirrhotic background.^6-8 Preservation of functioning liver parenchyma to a maximum extent possible is crucial to avoid postoperative liver failure in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, Glissonean pedicle transection method is increasingly considered as an effective alternative to hemi- or extended hepatectomies in such cases.^9-16 Nonetheless, multisegmental central liver resection has not been widely used since its introduction for gallbladder cancer in 1972.^17,18 Conventional central liver resection method is technically demanding, and may require prolonged surgical time in order to dissect and confirm each branch of hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct to the anterior section.^19,20 This often results in increased risk of bleeding, bile leakage or parenchymal necrosis, and therefore, central liver resection particularly in cirrhotic patients remains controversial.^21,22 The answer to the dilemma could lie with the Glissonean pedicle transection method, which was introduced in the mid-1980s owing to a better understanding of the surgical anatomy of the liver.^20,23 When using this resection method, Glissonean pedicle supplying the target area is ligated and divided at the hepatic hilum prior to resection without exposing the vessels individually.²³ This simplifies hepatic resection, shortens operation time and reduces intraoperative bleeding.²³⁻²⁵ Our previous experience with using this method for hemihepatectomy has resulted in considerable reduction of blood loss during resection, a major determinant of patient outcome.This approach has allowed the ability to adapt the size of resection to the extent of the tumor and to preserve the maximum amount of liver parenchyma, which is crucial for the prevention of postoperative liver failure especially in patients with cirrhotic background. However, it remains unclear whether central liver resection using the Glissonean pedicle transection improves long-term survival. Therefore, the current retrospective study of patients with centrally located HCC, who underwent either hemi- or extended hepatectomy or multisegmental central liver resection, was conducted to assess the perioperative and long-term outcomes associated with central liver resection using the Glissonean pedicle transection.     

Extended Right Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Outcome of Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Elderly Patients With Portal Hypertension

The outcome of liver resection (LR) for elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal hypertension (PHT) who may be excluded as liver transplantation candidates has not been fully evaluated. One hundred ninety-five patients who underwent initial curative LR for HCC with PHT were divided into 2 groups: age <70 years (n = 131) and age ≥70 years (n = 64). Clinicopathologic data and postoperative complications were compared. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative complications were similar in both groups. However, in-hospital mortality was significantly more frequent in elderly than in younger patients (11% versus 1%, P = 0.002). No significant intergroup differences were observed in the 5-year disease-free survival rate or recurrence rate (19.7% versus 17.2%; P = 0.338, 63% versus 56%; P = 0.339). Although LR for elderly HCC patients with PHT can be performed with curative intent and gives results comparable with those in younger patients, it is associated with higher in-hospital mortality.Key words: Liver resection, Recurrence, Portal hypertension, Liver transplantation, Liver failureRecently, the number of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been increasing with the increased proportion of the geriatric population in Japan.^1,2 Thanks to recent advances in surgical techniques, perioperative management, and anesthesia, the indications for surgical treatment modalities such as liver resection (LR) or liver transplantation (LT) in elderly patients have expanded.^3,4 Thus, age itself is no longer a contraindication for liver surgery.When considering the treatment of HCC, most patients already have existing liver dysfunction due to chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, and portal hypertension (PHT) may be present at the time of diagnosis.^5,6 The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)/Barcelona Clinic for Liver Cancer (BCLC) Guidelines have been widely utilized for the management of HCC in Western countries.^7,8 They recommend that only LT can be regarded as curative treatment for early-stage HCC (single nodule or up to 3 nodules measuring ≤3 cm) with PHT. However, LT for all HCC patients with PHT is impossible because of donor organ shortage, especially in Asian counties.⁹ In addition, expanding the indications of LT for elderly patients is still controversial. A previous study suggested that patients with PHT who underwent LR showed the same incidence of postoperative complications and survival rate as patients without PHT.¹⁰ In other words, LR still plays an important role as the mainstay of curative treatment for HCC patients with PHT, even if they are elderly. There have been several reports on the safety and feasibility of LR for elderly HCC patients, but there is little information on the outcome of elderly patients with PHT, who are considered to be at extremely high risk.^11–16 Against this background, the aim of the present study was to examine the short- and long-term outcomes of LR in both elderly (age ≥70 years) and younger (age <70 years) HCC patients with PHT at a single center over a 12-year period.     

Lung Cyst Caused by Centrally Located Bronchogenic Carcinoma

A 45-year-old smoker was referred for evaluation of recent onset streaky hemoptysis and a large cystic lesion in the left lower lobe (LLL). Presence of air trapping in LLL was observed on computed tomography scan of thorax. Prior to completion of diagnostic evaluation, the patient was lost to follow-up. On return after a two-month gap, ‘disappearance’ of the cyst was observed along with complete collapse of LLL. A fibreoptic bronchoscopy revealed presence of a tumor completely occluding the LLL main bronchus and biopsy confirmed presence of squamous cell carcinoma of lung. The temporal clinico-radiological profile suggested a check-valve mechanism resulting from endobronchial obstruction as the primary mechanism for cyst formation. This case highlights the need to consider malignant endobronchial obstruction as the likely etiology among heavy smokers presenting with symptomatic solitary lung cysts.     

Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Partial Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Several trials have been reported examining laparoscopic liver resections for the treatment of various kinds of liver tumors. However, there are no detailed reports on the use of laparoscopic (LH) and thoracoscopic (TH) hepatectomy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Eleven laparoscopic and thoracoscopic partial liver resections were attempted for treating HCC. The indications for performing a laparoscopic or thoracoscopic partial hepatectomy were as follows: (1) the tumor was located on the surface of the liver; (2) the tumor was less than 3 cm in diameter; and (3) the tumor was not located adjacent to any large vessels. A TH was performed if the tumor was located in segment 8; an LH was performed if the tumor was located in segment 3, 4, or 5. Hand-assisted operations were performed in two patients. The mean operating time was 186.1 ± 44.0 minutes (range 130–310 minutes). The operative blood loss was 218.3 ± 197.6 ml (range 20–650 ml). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 11.3 ± 5.7 days (range 7–26 days). Two patients experienced postoperative complications (wound infection and ascites). No local recurrences have occurred to date. The overall 5-year survival rate and disease-free 5-year survival rate were 75.0% and 38.2%, respectively. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic hepatic resections are less invasive than conventional surgical techniques and are useful for treating HCC in select patients.     

ASO Author Reflections: Perspectives of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy with Venous Tumor Thrombectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Long-Term Safety of Autotransfusion During Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the long-term safety of autotransfusion (AT) in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Between 1988 and 1989, 46 patients with HCC underwent hepatectomy with AT (group 1). For a comparison, we matched 50 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy, and received homologous but not autologous blood (group 2). The 10-year cumulative survival curves and cancer-free curves of the two groups were examined, and the pattern of recurrence was compared. Results Group 1 had a significantly higher cumulative 10-year survival rate than group 2, at 20% vs 8%, respectively (P < 0.05). Among the patients who underwent curative resection, those in group 1 had significantly better cumulative survival and cancer-free survival rates than those in group 2, at 27% vs 11% (P < 0.05) and 13% vs 0% (P < 0.05), respectively. Among the patients with stage I–II HCC, those in group 1 had significantly better cumulative survival and cancer-free survival rates than those in group 2, at 30% vs 5% (P < 0.01) and 20% vs 5% (P < 0.05), respectively. However, the rates were similar among patients with stage III–IV disease in both groups. The pattern of recurrence in the two groups was similar. Conclusion Autotransfusion promoted survival in patients undergoing hepatectomy for stage I or II HCC.     

腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗肝细胞癌疗效的Meta分析

目的系统评价腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗肝细胞癌的疗效。方法计算机检索PubMed、中国期刊全文数据库、万方数据库、中国博硕士学位论文数据库及中国重要会议论文数据库2000～2011年发表的有关腹腔镜肝切除术和开腹肝切除术治疗肝细胞癌的相关文献,采用RevMan 5.0进行Meta分析。结果共纳入11项临床对照试验,包括781例患者,其中经腹腔镜手术治疗325例,开腹手术治疗456例。Meta分析结果显示,与开腹手术相比较,腹腔镜肝切除术能明显缩短手术时间〔加权均数差值（WMD）=-20.85,95%CI（-29.54,-12.16）,P〈0.000 01〕,减少术中出血量〔标准化均数差值（SMD）=-0.42,95%CI（-0.65,-0.19）,P=0.000 4〕,降低术后并发症发生率〔优势比（OR）=0.43,95%CI（0.28,0.65）,P〈0.000 1〕,缩短住院时间〔WMD=-4.32,95%CI（-6.29,-2.34）,P〈0.000 1〕。但术后复发率（P=0.80）和术后1年总生存率（P=0.98）、3年总生存率（P=0.41）、5年总生存率（P=0.12）以及1年无瘤生存率（P=0.15）、3年无瘤生存率（P=0.62）和5年无瘤生存率（P=0.99）差异均无统计学意义。结论对于病变位于CouinaudⅡ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ及Ⅵ段,其直径小于5 cm,并且不影响第一和第二肝门血管的暴露,肝功能在Child B级以上的肝细胞癌患者,在条件允许的情况下可优先考虑腹腔镜肝切除术。     

肝癌肝移植及肝癌肝切除术后复发特点的比较

目的 了解肝癌患者行肝移植或肝切除两种手术治疗后肿瘤复发的不同特点。方法 复习国内、外文献，比较二者的特点。结果 肝癌肝移植与肝癌肝切除术后复发率、复发时间、常见部位、复发相关因素、机理等方面均有所不同。结论 根据肝癌肝移植或肝切除术后复发的不同特点，针对性地加强肝癌复发的预防，重视复发后的治疗，以延长术后生存，改善生活质量。     

Anatomic Versus Nonanatomic Hepatectomy for a Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

It remains controversial whether anatomical resection (AR) improves the prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or not. To our knowledge, there have been a few well-matched studies about this issue. The aim of the present study was to compare the recurrence-free survival of AR versus nonanatomical resection (NAR) for a solitary HCC using propensity score matching.

Methods

The present study included 236 patients who had a solitary HCC without macroscopic vessel thrombosis. Those patients were divided into AR (n?=?139) and NAR (n?=?97) groups. A propensity score matching was performed to minimize the effect of potential confounders.

Results

Sixty-four patients from each group were matched. Preoperative confounding factors were balanced between the two groups. The median recurrence-free survival times in the AR and NAR groups were 33.8 and 30.8 months, respectively (P?=?0.520). There were no significant differences in the intrahepatic recurrence pattern (P?=?0.097). Operative procedure was not a significant risk factor for recurrence in both uni- and multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

This case-matching study using a propensity score shows that there is no superiority of AR to NAR relevant to the recurrence-free survival in patients with a single HCC.     

Surgery for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Located in the Caudate Lobe

Background  Surgery remains difficult for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originating in the caudate lobe. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and problems associated with caudate lobectomy combined with other types of hepatectomy. Methods  We performed caudate resection for HCC in 12 patients. Clinical and operative characteristics and survival were analyzed. Results  Tumors were located in the Spiegel lobe in three patients, the caudate process in six, and the paracaval portion in three. The procedure performed most was isolated partial caudate lobe resection (six patients). Three patients underwent partial caudate lobe resection combined with other hepatectomy, and the remainder underwent total caudate lobe resection combined with other hepatectomy. Tumors of the patients who underwent combined total caudate lobe resection were mainly in the paracaval portion. The median operating time for the six patients who underwent combined resection was 400 min, and their median intraoperative blood loss was 1,683 ml. There were no postoperative complications in patients who underwent combined total caudate lobe resection, except one case of total resection combined with central bisegmentectomy. In that case, the remaining right posterior sector was twisted after liver extraction, causing blockage of the outflow of the right hepatic vein. The overall and recurrence-free survival rates did not differ between the isolated and combined resection groups. Conclusions  For removal of HCC located in the caudate lobe, especially the paracaval portion, partial or total caudate lobe resection with other types of hepatectomy contributes to safe, curative surgery if the liver functional reserve and complications associated with surgery are well understood.     

Efficacy of a Hepatectomy and a Tumor Thrombectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus Extending to the Main Portal Vein

Introduction  

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with major portal tumor thrombus has been considered to be a fatal disease. A thrombectomy remains the only therapeutic option that offer a chance of complete tumor removal avoiding acute portal vein obstruction. However, the efficacy of tumor thrombectomy in addition to hepatectomy has not been well evaluated.     

腹腔镜与开腹肝切除术治疗肝癌的对比研究

目的探讨腹腔镜肝癌切除术的优越性。方法2012年1月～2013年12月,对原发性肝细胞肝癌行腹腔镜肝切除和开腹肝切除各22例,比较2组手术时间、术中出血量、术后排气时间、术后留置腹腔引流管时间、术后住院时间、手术费用、总费用、术后并发症。结果 与开腹手术相比,腹腔镜组术中出血量少[（75．5±43．2）mlVS．（203．5±61．4）ml,t=－8．000,P=0．000],手术时间短[（121．3±31．5）ｍinVS．（141．4±32．2）min,t=－2．093,P=0．042],排气早[（31．2±0．9）hVS．（39．8±0．8）h,t=－33．500,P=0．000],留置引流管时间短[（4．1±2．1）dVS．（6．4±1．9）d,t=－3．810,P=0．000],术后住院时间短[（9．1±4．4）dVS．（11．6±3．1）d,t=－2．179,P=0．035],但手术费用高[（6815．3±2113．4）元VS．（3732．2±618．4）元,t=6．567,P=0．000],2组并发症[1例V８．3例,ｘ２=0．275,P=0．600]和总费用[（14677．2±5444．3）元VS．（15123．3±4388．4）元,t=－0．299,P=0．766]差异无显著性。结论腹腔镜与开腹肝切除相比具有创伤小、痛苦少、术中出血少、术后恢复快、住院时间短等优越性。     

影响中晚期肝细胞肝癌手术切除预后的多因素分析

目的：探讨影响中晚期肝细胞肝癌手术切除预后的因素。方法：对130例中晚期大肝癌随访1-7年，采用单因素、多因素分析统计不同预后因素对患生存率的影响。结果：手术后1，3，5年生存率分别为81．7％，24．3％，18．4％。单因素分析提示影响预后的因素为肝癌大小、是否早期复发、肝硬化情况、输血量；多因素分析提示肝癌大小、肿瘤早期复发是影响肝癌术后的预后因素。结论：中晚期肝癌手术切除预后仍不理想，重视围手术期处理，预防术后早期复发有望提高手术疗效。     

Salvage Hepatectomy for Local Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Ablation Therapy

Background

The results of salvage hepatectomy for local recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after incomplete percutaneous ablation therapy are still unclear.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 197 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent either salvage hepatectomy after prior incomplete percutaneous ablation therapy (salvage group; n?=?23) or primary hepatectomy as the initial treatment (primary group; n?=?174). The two groups were compared with respect to intraoperative data, operative mortality and morbidity, and long-term survival.

Results

The salvage group showed a significantly longer operation time (385 vs. 300?min; P?=?0.006) and a significantly greater intraoperative blood loss volume (402 vs. 265?ml; P?=?0.024). The postoperative mortality rate was zero in both groups, and the morbidity rates were similar. Although the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates after hepatectomy were significantly worse in the salvage group than in the primary group (65%, 41%, and 33% vs. 81%, 51%, and 45%, respectively; P?=?0.031), the overall survival rates after hepatectomy did not differ significantly (91%, 91%, and 67% vs. 96%, 79%, and 65%, respectively; P?=?0.790). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates after percutaneous ablation therapy were also not different from those in the primary group (100, 96, and 83%, P?=?0.115; and 96, 60, and 45%, P?=?0.524, respectively).

Conclusions

The short-term and long-term results of salvage hepatectomy after incomplete percutaneous ablation therapy are equivalent to those of primary hepatectomy. Salvage hepatectomy is an acceptable treatment for patients with local recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after ablation therapy.     

Long-Term Results of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Versus Open Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case-Matched Analysis

Background  

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) is established as a safe and feasible treatment option for liver tumors. However, whether the adoption of laparoscopic approach for malignant tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), will compromise the long-term result is still unknown. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term results of LH compared with a cohort of case-matched open hepatectomy (OH).     

Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Noncirrhotic Liver After Hepatectomy

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver (HCCNC) is rare. This tumor has a particular epidemiology and presentation, and it requires specific treatment, compared with HCC in cirrhotic liver. The aims of this study were to determine the survival and recurrence rates, prognostic factors, and optimum treatment of HCCNC and to propose a follow-up protocol for patients who have undergone surgery for HCCNC.

Methods

This study included 131 patients who underwent surgical treatment for HCCNC from January 1992 to December 2010. Survival and recurrence rates were evaluated, and the prognostic factors and characteristics of recurrence were analyzed. Pathologic characteristics of the tumors and the nontumoral liver were examined.

Results

The mean survival time was 67.9 months. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 72.9 and 36.7 %, respectively. In all, 54 patients (41.2 %) developed recurrence at a median interval of 30.96 months. Of these recurrences, 31.5 % occurred during the first year, and 24.1 % occurred more than 5 years after surgery. Macro- or microvascular invasion and tumor size >5 cm were significantly associated with a poor survival rate. The predictive factors for recurrence were multiple tumors, tumor diameter >5 cm, and satellite nodules. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for recurrence had a significantly longer survival time than those who did not (p < 0.0292).

Conclusions

Recurrence is the most common cause of death after hepatectomy for HCC, and patients should undergo careful, long-term follow-up. Early detection and treatment of recurrence with curative intent should improve the prognosis of these patients.