Risk factors and outcome of early recurrence after resection of small hepatocellular carcinomas

Background

This study aimed to clarify risk factors for early recurrence and examine the subsequent outcome in patients undergoing potentially R0 resection of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (≤2 cm in greatest dimension).

Methods

Eighty-nine patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: 26 patients suffering from recurrence within 2 years of surgery (early recurrence group) and 63 patients who were disease-free for at least 2 years (disease-free 2Y group).

Results

Only 7 of 63 patients (11%) from the group that was disease-free for at least 2 years died during the 5-year period after surgery, whereas 13 of 26 patients (50%) from the early recurrence group died. Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative maximum removal rate of technetium-99m-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin and microscopic vascular invasion were independent predictors of the early recurrence of small HCC.

Conclusions

Early recurrence of small HCC is the leading cause of death within 5 years after R0 resection. The preoperative hepatic functional reserve influences early recurrence, even in patients with small tumors.