Surgical results for hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombosis.

Abstract

The longterm results after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic tumor thrombus of the portal vein are unclear. The records of 47 HCC patients with tumor thrombus in the segmental portal branch (n = 33) and the first portal branch or portal vein trunk (n = 14) were reviewed in this study. Survival rates of the patients were calculated with regard to 14 dinicopathologic variables. A log-rank analysis was performed to identify which variables predicted the prognosis. Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 53.9%, 33.2%, and 23.9%, respectively. The indicators of a favorable prognosis included curative liver resection, tumor size less than 10 cm in diameter, and absence of intrahepatic metastases. Liver resection should be considered a therapeutic option for hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic portal vein tumor thrombus when the tumor is small and curative liver resection can be expected.