Hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with major portal or hepatic vein invasion: results of a multicenter study.
BACKGROUND
The role of hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and invasion of a main portal or hepatic vein branch is controversial. We evaluated the efficacy of hepatic resection and the factors affecting survival after resection in such patients.


METHODS
The records of 102 patients who underwent resection for HCC with major vascular invasion between 1984 and 1999 were reviewed. Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
The study included 87 men and 15 women. The median age was 59 years. The perioperative mortality rate was 5.9%. Median survival was 11 months (median follow-up, 93 months). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 45%, 17%, and 10%; the longest-living survivor was still alive at 14.8 years. Absence of moderate to severe fibrosis and absence of high nuclear grade were associated with a better 5-year survival rate (23% vs 5%; P = .001 and 21% vs 9%; P = .04, respectively). On multivariate analysis, moderate to severe fibrosis remained a significant predictor of both short-term (< or = 6 months) and long-term (>6 months) survival ( P < .03 and P < .01, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic resection for HCC with major vascular invasion is associated with median survival exceeding historical survival in patients not treated surgically. Patients with HCC and major vascular invasion who derive long-term benefit from resection have no or minimal underlying fibrosis.
Pawlik
Timothy M
TM
Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Poon
Ronnie T
RT
Abdalla
Eddie K
EK
Ikai
Iwao
I
Nagorney
David M
DM
Belghiti
Jacques
J
Kianmanesh
Reza
R
Ng
Irene Oi-Lin
IO
Curley
Steven A
SA
Yamaoka
Yoshio
Y
Lauwers
Gregory Y
GY
Vauthey
Jean-Nicolas
JN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000401:mortality; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors