Predictive factors for recurrence and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea.

AIM

To evaluate the factors predicting for recurrence and to analyze survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 743 patients who were consecutively diagnosed and treated with HCC were retrospectively analyzed from January 2004 to December 2012 at our institution. We analyzed their survival and tumor recurrence.

RESULTS

On multivariate analysis, age >50 years, CLIP score <3, ALP <120 U/l, LDH <450 IU/l, CRP <0.8 mg/dl, tumor size <6 cm, no distant metastasis, and curative treatment modality were predictors for 1-year survival. CRP <0.8 mg/dl, Child-Pugh score <7, curative treatment modality and tumor size <6 cm were predictors for 3-year survival. Absence of vascular invasion and uninodular tumor type were predictors for 5-year survival. Multinodular tumor, tumor size >4 cm, and palliative treatment were independent risk factors for 1-year recurrence after initial treatment.

CONCLUSION

This large study provides a comprehensive overview of the survival outcomes and prognostic factors regarding HCC, according to clinical characteristics, various treatment modalities, and the results will help in the selection of effective treatment strategies future.