Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Research Articles

A comparative study of anterior versus conventional approach right hepatectomy for large hepatocellular carcinoma

To compare the outcomes between anterior versus conventional approach right hepatectomy for large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 188 consecutive patients with large HCC ( > or =5 cm) undergoing right hepatectomy were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, 92 patients received anterior approach right hepatectomy (anterior group) while the other conventional right hepatectomy (conventional group). Their clinicopathologic data and survivals were compared. There were five surgical deaths (2.7%), two in the anterior group and three in the conventional group. The biochemical and tumor pathological data (except for tumor size) of these two groups were comparable. The mean intraoperative blood loss, the number of patients with massive hemorrhage ( >3000 ml) and the volume of blood transfusion of the anterior group were markedly less than those of conventional group. The 1-, 3-year disease-free survival rates of the anterior group were significantly better than those of the conventional group (56.2%, 30.9% vs. 39.1%, 13.0%, P = 0.043). The 1- & 3-year cumulative survival rates of the anterior group were also markedly higher than those of conventional group. The Cox regression model indicated that tumor size [P = 0.014, odd ratio (OD) = 1.074] and surgical procedure (P = 0.009, OD = 0. 468) were independent risk factors correlated with disease-free survival. And the surgical procedure (P = 0.003, OD = 0.369) was the only independent risk factor for postoperative cumulative survival. Anterior approach right hepatectomy can significantly decrease intraoperative blood loss. The postoperative survivals of large HCC patients are significantly improved by anterior approach right hepatectomy.

Role of a hepatectomy for the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinomas measuring 10 cm or larger in diameter

A curative hepatectomy is the mainstay of effective treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the treatment of large HCC remains challenging. The possible prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed in 85 patients with large HCC (> or = 10.0 cm) who all underwent a hepatectomy for HCC between 1988 and 2004. A survival analysis was made by classifying the tumors into four spreading patterns according to the number of tumors and the presence of macroscopic tumor thrombus. A positive hepatitis B antigen, the earlier period of hepatectomy, a non-curative hepatectomy, multiple tumors, and portal vein invasion were identified as independent predictors of a poor prognosis. The median survival term and 5-year survival rate of patients with a solitary large HCC without a macroscopic tumor thrombus was 9.8 years and 69.8%, respectively. The tumor spreading patterns according to the number of tumors and the presence of a macroscopic tumor thrombus were statistically associated with a non-curative hepatectomy (p < 0.001). There was a statistical difference among 33 patients with large HCC undergoing a non-curative hepatectomy based on the presence of a macroscopic portal vein invasion (p = 0.0089). A hepatectomy could yield an excellent long-term survival in patients with a solitary large HCC without a macroscopic tumor thrombus. Even if a curative hepatectomy could not be achieved, a hepatectomy might provide better survival in large HCC patients without a macroscopic tumor thrombus compared in those with macroscopic tumor thrombus.