Single centre experience of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients outside transplant criteria

Abstract

Introduction: To report analysis of our results of liver resection for HCC outside the transplant criteria with preserved liver function.

Methods: Between January 1990 and March 2005, 279 patients with HCC were seen at our institution and entered into a prospective database. There were 51 patients who did not fulfill the transplant criteria and underwent partial hepatectomy. Survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results: The median tumour size was 10.0 cm with a range of 3-20 cm. Twenty-nine patients had solitary tumours and 21 patients had two or more liver tumours, with four patients whose tumours were less than 5 cm in maximal diameter. Ten patients had bilobar disease. The 30-day mortality was 8%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 63, 40 and 33%, respectively, and the median survival was 16.6 months. Fifteen potential variables were analysed as potential predictors of adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis showed Child-Pugh classification, presence of cirrhosis, rupture on presentation and tumour histology to be independent prognostic factors on survival.

Conclusion: Partial hepatectomy in patients with advanced HCC who are ineligible for transplantation can be performed safely and can achieve a 5-year survival of 33%.