[Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma according to new staging classifications]

Abstract

Background and objective: We investigated prognostic factors and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in North-Germany. Established staging systems (Child-Pugh, Okuda and UICC classification) were compared with new prognostic scores from Italy (CLIP) and Spain (BCLC).

Patients and methods: The clinical course of 62 consecutive patients (34-82 years, 48 males, 14 females) with HCC observed in the Medical School of Hannover from October 1996 to September 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified according to the staging systems of Child Pugh, Okuda, UICC, CLIP and BCLC. Follow-up ended on December 31 (st) 2001.

Results: Overall median survival was 11,3 (1 - 59,5) months. At univariate analysis (log-rank test) Okuda, UICC, CLIP and BCLC Score were each associated with a shorter survival. In contrast Child Pugh score provided no significant prognostication. By multiple regression analysis (Cox regression analysis), only the CLIP and UICC score and chronic hepatitis B infection were shown to be independent risk factors.

Conclusion: Our investigations indicate, that the CLIP and UICC classifications identified those patients with the best prognosis and they, as well as chronic hepatitis C, were shown to be independent risk factors.