Risk factors of recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after curative resection of primary HCC.

METHODS

This was a hospital-based retrospective cohort study. The authors analyzed the medical records of all the subjects with HCC initially treated by hepatic resection at a medical center in Taiwan from 1995 to 2006. In all, 222 subjects were enrolled in this study. The total observational period was 3 years.

RESULTS

There were 172 men (77.5%) and 50 women (22.5%). The mean age was 57.0 ± 13.7 years (range, 15-79 years). Among 222 subjects, the overall recurrence rates were 28.8% (64/222), 42.3% (94/222) and 47.7% (106/222) at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis exhibited that tumor size ≥ 5 cm [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.27-4.17], liver cirrhosis (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.18-3.79) and preoperative aspartate aminotransferase level ≥ 34 IU/L (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.01-4.04) were independent risk factors of HCC recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Patients who have larger tumor size, liver cirrhosis and higher preoperative aspartate aminotransferase level should be carefully followed up because they are at high risk of HCC recurrence postoperatively.