[Transplantation in primary liver cancer]

33 patients with liver malignancy underwent transplantations. The overall survival rate 1, 2 and 5 years after transplantation was 42.4%, 30% and 24.2%, respectively. These figures agree with those of other centres. 16 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma had a median survival of 2 years and 2 months and a 5-year-survival rate of 37.5%, the longest followup being more than 11 years. 10 patients with cholangiocellular carcinoma had a 5-year-survival rate of only 10%, the longest followup being more than 6 years. Patients with liver sarcoma and liver metastasis had a low survival rate and high tumor recurrence. Transplantation is generally well accepted for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. For other malignancies it should be considered an exception, provided that extrahepatic tumor spread has been ruled out.