Effects of marker for hepatic fibrosis and viral status on recurrence after resection of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the relationship between the serum concentration of type IV collagen 7s domain (7s collagen) and viral status and the effects of these factors on recurrence after resection of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: Serum concentration of 7s collagen was measured in 39 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinicopathologic findings and tumor-free survival rate were compared between patients with a low serum concentration of 7s collagen (< 7.0 ng/mL, group 1) and those with a high serum concentration of 7s collagen (> or = 7.0 ng/mL, group 2). RESULTS: Aspartate aminotransferase activity and the proportion of patients with a high viral load and cirrhosis were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. The tumor-free survival rate was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (P = 0.0050). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with a high viral load than in patients with a low viral load (P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: A high serum concentration of 7s collagen was closely related with a high viral load of hepatitis B virus. A high serum concentration of 7s collagen and a high viral load of hepatitis B virus are risk factors for recurrence after resection of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.