Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in North America: Can hepatic resection still be justified? Journal Article


Authors: Chapman, W. C.; Klintmalm, G.; Hemming, A.; Vachharajani, N.; Majella Doyle, M. B.; DeMatteo, R.; Zaydfudim, V.; Chung, H.; Cavaness, K.; Goldstein, R.; Zendajas, I.; Melstrom, L. G.; Nagorney, D.; Jarnagin, W.
Article Title: Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in North America: Can hepatic resection still be justified?
Abstract: Background The incidence of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is increasing dramatically worldwide. Optimal management remains undefined, especially for well-compensated cirrhosis and HCC. Study Design This retrospective analysis included 5 US liver cancer centers. Patients with surgically treated HCC between 1990 and 2011 were analyzed; demographics, tumor characteristics, and survival rates were included. Results There were 1,765 patients who underwent resection (n = 884, 50.1%) or transplantation (n = 881, 49.9%). Overall, 248 (28.1%) resected patients were transplant eligible (1 tumor <5 cm or 2 to 3 tumors all <3 cm, no major vascular invasion); these were compared with 496 transplant patients, matched based on year of transplantation and tumor status. Overall survivals at 5 and 10 years were significantly improved for transplantation patients (74.3% vs 52.8% and 53.7% vs 21.7% respectively, p < 0.001), with greater differences in disease-free survival (71.8% vs 30.1% at 5 years and 53.4% vs 11.7% at 10 years, p < 0.001). Ninety-seven of the 884 (11%) resected patients were within Milan criteria and had cirrhosis; these were compared with the 496 transplantation patients, with similar results to the overall group. On multivariate analysis, type of surgery was an independent variable affecting all survival outcomes. Conclusions The increasing incidence of HCC stresses limited resources. Although transplantation results in better long-term survival, limited donor availability precludes widespread application. Hepatic resection will likely remain a standard therapy in selected patients with HCC. In this large series, only about 10% of patients with cirrhosis were transplant-eligible based on tumor status. Although liver transplantation results are significantly improved compared with resection, transplantation is available only for a minority of patients with HCC. © 2015 American College of Surgeons.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; cancer survival; controlled study; aged; cancer surgery; survival rate; major clinical study; overall survival; hepatitis b; hepatitis c; liver cell carcinoma; liver cirrhosis; liver function; liver transplantation; conference paper; comparative study; disease free survival; retrospective study; cancer mortality; body mass; cancer size; surgical mortality; hazard ratio; model for end stage liver disease score; human; male; female; priority journal
Journal Title: Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume: 220
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1072-7515
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 2015-04-01
Start Page: 628
End Page: 637
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.12.030
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25728142
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 4 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ronald P DeMatteo
    637 DeMatteo
  2. William R Jarnagin
    905 Jarnagin