Risk factors of long-term survival and recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The independent risk factors contributing to long-term survival (> or = 10-year survival rate) and recurrence after curative hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were evaluated. METHODOLOGY: The prognoses were retrospectively analyzed in 247 consecutive patients (187 men and 60 women) treated with curative hepatic resection for HCC and discharged from the hospital. Prognostic factors were evaluated by multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that pTNM stage IV, indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (ICGR15) of > or = 20%, tumor size of > or = 5 cm, and positive hepatitis B surface antigen were independent risk factors of overall survival. Stage IV and ICGR15 of > or = 20% were also independent risk factors of disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: pTNM stage and ICGR15 may be simple and useful predictors to improve long-term survival and recurrence after curative hepatic resection for HCC.