Bone metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection

Between January 1985 and July 1990, 323 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma underwent liver resection in our department. Bone metastases were found in 12 of these cases (3.7%). Bone metastases were mainly found in vertebral bone (58.3%) and pelvic bone (41.7%). The time interval to the development of bone metastasis after liver resection was closely related to the presence of intrahepatic metastasis and the stage at operation. In all cases, the initial clinical symptom was pain and/or motor disturbance. Radiotherapy was performed in 10 cases and transcatheter arterial embolization or surgery was performed in 4 cases. The pain or neurological symptoms improved with these therapies in all cases. Cumulative survival was 1 year in 74%, 2 years in 34%, and 3 years in 17%, respectively.