Right Atrial Tumour Thrombus in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Surgical Techniques and Prognosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with right atrium (RA) tumour thrombus is a rare condition but the treatment always poses challenges. Debates remain with regard to the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the surgical procedures. The aim of the present review was to summarise the surgical procedures of RA tumour thrombus removal and to discuss the pertinent indications. Twenty-three articles involving 35 patients were collected and recruited into this study. Surgical operation for HCC was performed in 29 (82.9%) patients and non-surgical operation in 6 (17.1%) patients. RA tumour thrombus removal was performed with the aid of CPB in 25 (71.4%), venovenous bypass in 3 (8.6%), and without CPB in 7 (20%) patients. After tumour thrombus removal, RA or vessel wall reconstruction with a graft was required in 7 (20%) patients. The overall median survival time of this patient cohort was 30.8 months. The median survival time of patients who received a hepatectomy was 30.5 months, in comparison to 6.0 months for those who did not receive a hepatectomy. Aggressive surgical treatment prolongs survival of selective patients with HCC with RA tumour thrombus. CPB is helpful for complete removal of the tumour thrombus from the RA. In patients with tumour thrombus invading the RA or vessel walls, a graft repair is warranted. Key Words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Inferior vena cava, Right atrium, Tumour thrombus.