Second hepatic resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Although a second hepatic resection (SHR) for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely accepted, the indications for SHR have not been established. The risk factors for HCC recurrence after SHR were evaluated to investigate the indications for SHR.

Subjects included 51 patients who underwent a second hepatic resection for recurrence of HCV-related HCC. Sixteen patients received interferon therapy before or after the first operation. Six patients attained a sustained viral response (SVR) that was defined as return of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity to within the reference range and no detectable serum HCV RNA for at least 1 year after interferon therapy. A biochemical response (BR), defined as a normalized ALT activity for at least 1 year after interferon therapy with or without the transient disappearance of serum HCV RNA, was attained in three patients. The other seven patients were defined as the nonresponse (NR) group.

By univariate analysis, NR and lack of interferon therapy, high indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15), high aspartate aminotransferase activity, high ALT activity, large tumor, and multiple tumors were risk factors for HCC recurrence after SHR. By multivariate analysis, NR and lack of interferon therapy, high ICGR15, large tumor, and multiple tumors were independent risk factors.

Patients in whom active hepatitis has been controlled by interferon therapy are the best candidates for SHR. Interferon therapy should be recommended in patients undergoing resection of an HCV-related HCC because SHR can prolong life in SVR and BR patients.