[Aggressive surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma in advanced stage and with recurrence]

Between July 1973 and September 1990, 160 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent hepatic resection at Keio University Hospital. Hepatic resection was carried out for patients with advanced diseases as well as recurrence. The patients with advanced disease consisted of 5 patients with obstructive jaundice, 6 with tumor thrombi in the portal trunk, one with tumor thrombus in hepatic vein, inferior vena cava and right atrium, 8 with satellite nodules in both lobes. Nine (45%) of these patients survived more than 2 years. Seven patients underwent removal of recurrent tumors: 4 in the remnant liver, one each at the left adrenal gland, lung and chest wall. Two patients lived longer than 2 years with relief of pain.