Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma associated with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

AbstractSixty‐three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis received various kinds of treatment at our clinic during the past 21 years. Of these, 35 patients who underwent hepatic resection were divided into a large tumor group (tumors more than 5 cm in diameter) and a small tumor group (tumors less than 5 cm in diameter), and the operative results of both groups were studied. There was a difference in the average ages between the 2 groups (p <0.05), but there was no difference in the duration of illness or laboratory data. The resectability rate of the liver in 17 patients with small tumors was 89% and was significantly higher than that of 41% in 18 patients with large tumors (p<0.005). The overall operative mortality rate was 14% for both groups. Patients with tumors over 3 cm already exhibited the histological findings seen in advanced cancer. Cumulative 3‐year survival rates of the large and small tumor groups were 0% and 53%, respectively, and there was a significant difference in survival curves between the 2 groups (p<0.005). The above results suggest that hepatic resection for patients with small tumors is effective as a treatment for hepatoma associated with cirrhosis.