[Inquiring the causes of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the causes of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection according to pathologic findings of the resected primary tumor and angiographic features of the recurrent tumor.


METHODS
In this series, 142 cases with recurrent HCC were analyzed with respect to (1) size, number, gross and histologic findings of the primary tumor, (2) time when recurrence occurred, (3) size, number, blood supply, staining property of, and deposition of lipiodol oil in the recurrent tumor. Following angiography, arterial embolization was performed.


RESULTS
In 101 of the 142(71.1%) cases, the primary tumor was > 5 cm in diameter, and in 41 cases (28.9%) it was < 5 cm. In 67.7% of the cases, the capsule of the primary tumor was incomplete or absent. In 47 cases (33.1%), satellite tumor nodules were seen during operation but they were seen on pathologic sections in 94 cases (66.2%). Tumor thrombus was present in the portal vein in 26 (18.3%) and 121 cases (85.2%) during operation and on pathologic examination, respectively. In the majority of the cases (99/142), recurrence occurred within 6 months after operation. The recurrent foci consisted of multiple tumor nodules of < 5 cm in 68.3% of the cases. On angiography, the recurrent tumors were rich in blood supply with good deposition of lipiodol.


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrence is apt to occur in HCC patients with large (> 5 cm) primary tumor which has incomplete or no capsule, satellite tumor nodules and portal vein tumor thrombus. It is suggested to perform angiography 1-2 months after surgery to detect early recurrence and, if confirmed, the patients can be treated by transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization.
Cheng
H
H
Department of Radiology, Eastern Hepato-biliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438.
Chen
D
D
Xu
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local