Background/aims: We studied the patterns of, and risk factors for, recurrence after resection of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma to make a strategy for such carcinoma.
Methodology: The subjects were 36 patients who underwent liver resection for well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Multicentric carcinogenesis after the operation (multicentric recurrence) was diagnosed when a recurrent tumor included a component of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor-free survival rates of patients with various risk factors were calculated and differences between groups were evaluated. For multivariate analysis, Cox's proportional hazard model was used.
Results: All recurrent tumors after operation were of multicentric origin. Univariate analysis showed a history of blood transfusion, high alpha-fetoprotein concentration (> 20 ng/ml), and low platelet count (< 10(5)/mm3) to be significant factors. By multivariate analysis, a history of blood transfusion and a low platelet count were independent risk factors. Nonanatomic resection was not a risk factor.
Conclusions: In patients with well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, especially with risk factor(s) for multicentric recurrence, not only anatomic but also nonanatomic resection (partial resection) are indicated for a primary tumor, because almost all recurrent tumors are of multicentric origin. After resection of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, careful monitoring for multicentric recurrence is important in patients with risk factors.