[Orthotopic liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma]

Nineteen orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) were performed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, between March 1988 and December 1990, in our Department. Thirteen patients (68.4%), 10 men and 3 women, mean age 48.2 +/- 2.8 years, were clear cut neoplastic disease, six patients (31.6%), 4 men and 2 women, mean age 48.6 +/- 4.2 years, were incidental tumors. Three years survival rate was 20% in clear cut neoplastic diseases (4 patients died for neoplastic recurrence) and 66% in incidental tumors. Our results demonstrate that liver transplantation for hepatobiliary malignancy is still justified, patient selection is important in predicting outcome.