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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Application of the En Bloc Concept Combined with Anatomic Resection in Laparoscopic Hepatectomy
Published on: March 10, 2023
Resection of peritoneal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma
H Nakayama1, T Takayama, M Makuuchi
1Department of Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Background/Aims:
To evaluate whether resection of peritoneal metastases arising from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a role to play in the management of the disease.
Methodology:
Resections of peritoneal metastases from HCC were performed in 6 patients. The survival of the patients was evaluated in relation to feature of primary liver tumor, number of peritoneal metastases and period between hepatectomy and resection of peritoneal metastases.
Results:
Two patients had peritoneal metastases at the time of hepatectomy for HCC, their resection being carried out synchronously. In the other 4 patients, peritoneal metastases became evident between 6 and 34 months (mean: 18) after hepatectomy; resection was performed at the time of presentation of the metastases. Patient survival after resection of the peritoneal metastases ranged from 3-31 months. The 4 patients who survived for more than 1 year had the following features: 1) a small number of metastatic nodules (= or < 4); 2) low alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values (mean: 205 ng/ml); and, (3) metachronous occurrence of the peritoneal metastases.
Conclusions:
Resection of peritoneal metastases arising from HCC may be of value in improving patient survival.
