Outcomes of hepatic resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma: special reference to postoperative recurrence

Safety and efficacy of hepatic resection for large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs 10 cm or greater in diameter) remain controversial. Surgical results of patients with HCCs 10 cm or greater (n = 24) who underwent hepatic resection over an 11-year period were compared with those of patients with HCCs less than 10 cm (n = 291). There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (P > 0.99). Overall 5-year survival rate was 44.6 per cent among patients with HCCs 10 cm or greater and 70.5 per cent among those with HCCs less than 10 cm (P = 0.010); however, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival rate between the two groups (P = 0.16). Incidence of synchronous intra- and extrahepatic recurrence was higher in patients with HCCs 10 cm or greater than in those with HCCs less than 10 cm (P = 0.0012). Macrovascular invasion alone was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR],: 11.1) and recurrence (HR, 6.02) after hepatic resection for HCCs 10 cm or greater, which was correlated with synchronous intra- and extrahepatic recurrence. Hepatic resection for large HCCs is safe and efficacious. However, incidence of synchronous intra- and extrahepatic recurrence is high, especially in patients with macrovascular invasion.