Study on small hepatocellular carcinoma and its extension

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge.
• Long-term survival for HCC patients has historically been poor, necessitating improved treatment strategies.
• The role of surgical resection, particularly for small HCC, has been a focus of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize 25 years of research on small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its extensions.
• To evaluate the impact of small HCC resection on long-term survival.
• To explore strategies for managing recurrent and unresectable HCC.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 25 years of patient data from the Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital.
• Comparison of survival rates between small HCC resection, large HCC resection, and other treatment modalities.
• Investigation of early detection and treatment of recurrent small HCC and conversion of large HCC to resectable stages.

Main Results:

• Small HCC resection was associated with a 5-year survival rate of 51.4% among long-term survivors.
• Overall 5-year survival rates improved significantly over time, correlating with increased small HCC resection.
• Small HCC resection (61.3% 5-year survival) outperformed large HCC resection (33.6% 5-year survival).

Conclusions:

• Surgical resection of small HCC is a critical approach for achieving long-term survival in HCC patients.
• Strategies like early detection of recurrent HCC and converting unresectable HCC to resectable disease improve outcomes.
• Tumor invasiveness is a key factor influencing survival post-resection, highlighting the need for further research into biological characteristics.