Liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease: Experience in an Italian centre

Aim Liver resection (LR) and transplantation are the best options for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively analysed the experience obtained with LR for HCC in chronic liver disease patients. Methods Up until May 2005, 248 patients with HCC were evaluated, and 113 resected. Of these, 97 with chronic liver disease, who underwent a total of 100 resections, form the basis of this study. Age of the patients was 65.6 ± 9.2 years (range 32–81, male/female 76/21). In 77 cases there was unifocal and in 23 multinodular tumour; in 61 the size of the tumours was ≤5 cm and in 39 > 5 cm. Limited resections were performed in 15 cases, resections of 1–2 segments in 51, and major hepatectomies in 34. Results Blood transfusions were required in 28 cases. Three patients died postoperatively, from liver failure and/or sepsis. Seventeen patients had nonlethal complications (mostly liver dysfunction, often with signs of amplified inflammatory response, including ARDS, without evident sources of sepsis). The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 44% and 24%, respectively. Decreased survival was significantly related to increasing number of tumour nodules and degree of liver fibrosis/presence of cirrhosis, and with the expression of markers of carcinogenesis in a sub-group who received this assessment. At 5 years the rate of liver HCC recurrence was 46%, however, death was unrelated to recurrence in 41% of non-survivors. Conclusions Surgery for HCC achieves acceptable early and long-term results. However, the patterns affecting perioperative outcome must be better understood, and the high recurrence rate warrants further trials to assess preventive treatments after LR.