A prospective clinical study on early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

To determine more precisely time interval from resection to recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify the risk factors associated with postoperative recurrence.

From January 2004 to December 2007, 178 patients who underwent resection of HCC were followed prospectively for at least 12 months. Recurrence was identified by the digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Demographic, tumor, and disease characteristics were compared between patients with recurrence within 6 months and between 7 and 12 months, and those without recurrence to evaluate for their prognostic significance. Patients with intrahepatic recurrence were treated with trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and re-assessed by CT scans, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, or MRI.

Recurrence developed in 52 patients between 1 and 6 months, 11 patients between 7 and 12 months, and 115 patients remained disease free for at least 1 year. The recurrence rates of 6 months and 1 year were 29.2% and 35.4%, respectively. No statistically significant difference between was observed. Fourteen (22.2%) patients with recurrence and 11 (9.6%) patients without recurrence had previously presented as multifocal HCC, and the difference is of statistical significance (P = 0.025). The diagnostic accuracy of DSA as validated by other diagnostic methods was 81.8%.

Recurrences are more likely to develop within the first 6 months after resection for HCC. Multifocal HCC is an important risk factor associated with early recurrence of advanced HCC after hepatectomy. DSA may serve as an important surveillance for early detection of intrahepatic recurrence after surgery.